Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

December 18 , 1924

The cold snap commencing Monday has aroused question of a fuel shortage in Sundance, and for a time it seemed doubtful if the high school could be kept open. A cave in at the Belshe mine a month ago put that source of supply out of commission, and there is no coal at the schoolhouse unless the mine starts delivery this week, as was anticipated. Many business houses are about out of coal also.

Place Names of Crook County (By G. R. Hebard)

Houston creek, in 1882, one George Houston met his death at the hands of one Jack Cole, the latter defending his own person, near the banks of this creek, at a point about ¼ mile southwest from the former Linden postoffice. He was buried where he fell, and a pile of rocks there still marks his grave. (Furnished by John F. MeKean, Sundance, Wyo.) 

Miller creek. During an Indian up-rising, a party of about 200, including 2 women, was moving eastward toward Fort Meade. They were progressing about 8 miles per day, digging pits for protection of guards, and otherwise protecting their night camps. When camped near the head of Miller creek, one Miller and another left the party to hunt antelope for food. While so hunting, Miller was killed by Indians, and was buried near head of the creek which bears his name. (Furnished by Mrs. Barbara G. A. Mahnken, Spearfish, S. D.)

75 Years Ago

December 15, 1949

Negotiations were being pushed this week to sign Santa Claus for a pre-Christmas personal appearance at the annual Christmas program sponsored in Sundance by the Sundance Commercial club. The club every year plays host to the kids of the county and their parents and friends at a Christmas program. This year’s program will be given in the Commercial Theater in Sundance Christmas Eve. The program will be given by the Sundance schools and everyone attending the program will be given treats of candy, fruit and popcorn balls. Elmer Frank is chairman of the Commercial club committee in charge of the program.

Plans to construct the first unit of the new Sundance Methodist Church were formally announced this week by the Rev. Charles W. Roberts, pastor of the church. Rev. Roberts said plans called for the beginning of construction as soon as weather permits next spring. Cost of the building. is expected to be $12,000. The building will contain six Sunday school classrooms and a ladies parlor. It will be constructed in back of the present church.

50 Years Ago

December 19, 1974

State Rep. Nels Smith was elected speaker pro tem of the House Saturday when Republicans held a House organizational meeting in Casper. Smith will be the second highest House officer and Crook county has not had a higher ranking House officer since 1911 when L. R. Davis, Sundance, was elected speaker of the House.

Jerry and Alice Schloredt, Sundance, will probably never make a pilgrimage to the mountain encircled by glacial ice rising out of the barren continent of Antarctica even though the mountain bears their surname. Recently, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton approved the renaming of the mountain, Schloredt Nanutuk, after Schloredt, 38, a 20-year Navy veteran, for assisting in Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. Mrs. Schloredt said that naming the mountain after her husband was the greatest honor the government could bestow, particularly because very few mountains have been named after Navy electricians. “I’m very proud of him,” she said. “He always was a good sailor.”

25 Years Ago

December 16, 1999

Firefighters from Hulett, Upton and Campbell County responded to assist in fighting a structural fire at the corner of Big Horn Avenue and Converse Street in Moorcroft. The blaze broke out at about 9:15 on Tuesday morning and was contained late in the afternoon. Crews remained on site throughout the evening to monitor the situation. An investigation is pending. Buildings damaged in the Tuesday incident were occupied by John’s Sportsman’s Corner, owned by John Stahla, and Fred’s Auto, owned by Fred Welch. The buildings, currently owned by John Stahla, were built back in the early 1900s to house Moorcroft’s first post office, a bakery, and a medical center of sorts.