Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

The Times

December 10, 1919

The record sale of state lands of the State of Wyoming, both in point of acreage and money involved took place in Sundance this afternoon, conducted by A. Baker, commissioner of public lands. One tract embraced 13,431.39 acres and was bid in by H. G. Weare through his attorney, H. P. Isley at $177,179.70 or about $13.19 per acre. The land is included in the Cross Anchor ranch in northern Crook County, being many miles of the Belle Fourche river.

Douglas, Wyo – William Carlisle, train bandit, captured Tuesday after being shot in the right lung by Sheriff A. S. Roach of Wheatland, will recover unless pneumonia develops or infection sets in, according to physicians. As soon as he has recovered it was said, he probably will be returned to the state prison at Rawlins to serve out his unexpired term of 50 years.

Lead’s people, and in fact the people of the entire Black Hills, will receive with rejoicing the announcement that is made on the authority of Superintendent Yates of the Homestake Mining company that the fire which has been burning in the workings of its property since September 25, last, has been reached by the waters with which the mine has been flooded, the burning area passed and the fire subdued.

75 Years Ago

December 14, 1944

Thomas Gail Durham of Hulett and Raymond Clingan of Sundance both lost their lives in their country’s service in France recently.

Porter Long who has been driving the Sheridan Brewery truck the past few years, tells us he has recently purchased the Mason Roberts property near the Devils Tower and will take possession right away. This week was his last trip on the truck. The Mason Roberts family has purchased property in Rapid and will move there soon.

50 Years Ago

December 11, 1969

Tom Graham, Sundance was one of two men to receive the “Silver Beaver” awarded when the 40th annual meeting of the Black Hills Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, met in Rapid City Dec. 3. The award was presented to Graham and Lyle Peters, Rapid City, who were named as the outstanding volunteer scouters from the Black Hills Council.

Supt. Roger Thorson said this week that the District No. 1 school board has agreed to notify the Wyoming Highway Department that it is pursuing a land site for a new elementary building. The board requested the department to consider pedestrian and utilities access across I-90 in the area of the proposed site.

25 Years Ago

December 8, 1994

Thanks to the efforts of many local citizens and businesses, Sundance has its “guiding light” back. The lighted cross which has stood on Sundance Mountain for many years had to be removed early this year to allow for the installation of the cellular phone towers. Since then it has been missed by everyone. Jim Durfee, who helped spearhead the effort to restore it, said that in addition to being in the way, the cross was old and in need of repair. He also noted there was some controversy about the land it was on but that it is now on Tri-County Electric property. Norval Waller worked with Durfee in getting the repairs made. Waller said that a lot of people helped with the project. Jim Clark did much of the work using materials supplied by Energy Electric, Tri-County Electric and Dillon Hardware. Money to maintain it has been donated by Jody Thernes as a memorial to her husband. The cross was originally built by Tri-County as a Christmas decoration in 1960.