Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

The Times

April 23, 1919

Army airplanes and captive balloons will cover portions of the national forests of California, Arizona, New Mexico and other states this summer to aid in detecting and suppressing forest fires. One of the interesting possibilities to be tested is bombing fires to put them out. It is believed that bombs charged with suitable chemicals can be used with good results. Another plan to be tested is transporting fire fighters by dirigibles from which ladders can be lowered to the ground.

Miss McEnaney, county superintendent, reports those who took the teachers’ examination in Sundance last week as Agnes Mauch and Alma Sloan, the latter to be in charge of the Houston creek school. At Hulett: Nellie Storm, Leland Ripley, Ruth Martin.

75 Years Ago

April 27, 1944

Forty men will be called to take pre-induction examinations on May 8, the Crook county draft board announces. Lists will have to be scanned very closely to find that number of men under the age of 26 not engaged in essential work, it is believed.

Msgt. Gerald Tucker of Casper has served as aircraft flight chief with a veteran B-25 Mitchell group renowned for its combat record throughout the Tunisian, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. The young fighter, who is known by his family as “Tenny” was born in Hulett and is the son of Gerald Tucker of Caper and a grandson of Robert Brown, formerly of Hulett. He is a cousin of Charles Chittim of Sundance.

50 Years Ago

April 24, 1969

Lyle Crosby was elected president of the Sundance Jaycees at a meeting of the local group Thursday night. Other new officers are Frank Hawken vice president; Dwight Jundt, secretary-treasurer; and Lynn Bender and Al Patz directors. The Jaycees announced it will again sponsor the Fourth of July fireworks display and said it will accept any donations from other organizations to make this year’s display the biggest ever held.

Receiving a third place medal in last weekend’s state speech meet at Powell was Sundance high school student Susan Speidel. Walter McKay, high school speech instructor, said that Miss Speidel placed third in manuscript reading. She was competing against 78 other students in her group.

A new social studies teacher has been hired for Sundance high school, Supt. Gerald Wolfe said this week. He is Neil Hoffine, who will also be the physical education instructor. Hoffine is presently teaching in Deaver where he is assistant football and wrestling coach.