Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

July 7, 1920

Not since the days of ’79 has such a sight, nor such a spirit of good cheer and helpfulness in distress, been witnessed as that which was seen by the multitude who were at the river crossing, moving toward the Devils Tower on Saturday, July 3. From Montana they came in covered wagons and on horseback; from South Dakota they came in motor trucks, and from every corner of Crook county and elsewhere in Wyoming they came in every sort of conveyance, with one purpose – to celebrate Independence Day with the real sprit of free men.

Judge Ilsley and Tommie Roark had the misfortune to have the cylinders in their automobiles broken by contact with the cold water when they drove into the Belle Fourche river at the Tower Saturday.

After fine weather during the days preceding the third and during the celebration, a heavy rain visited us Sunday evening. Accompanying lightning is said to have struck the Willard Good house northwest of Sundance, and Cashier Ed Ford had a narrow escape when lightning struck the chimney on his house. Another bolt struck the Crewdson fence and woodpile but did not split much week.

75 Years Ago

July 12, 1945

Sgt Norman Bunney, who was liberated April 26 by American troops near Hallie, Germany, arrived at the home ranch near Aladdin to spend a 60-day furlough with his parents. Asked what happened when he was taken prisoner, Norman, who was a gunner on an American bomber based in England, said they were hit over Frankfurt while on a bombing mission, his eighth. The entire crew bailed out from 17,000 feet and landed a few miles from Frankfurt. He was taken prisoner by some civilians and was treated fairly well, except that there wasn’t much food ever.

With the 89th Infantry Division in Europe – T-Sgt. Charles S. Waugh has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against an armed enemy. Sgt. Waugh’s citation relates that he moved his platoon forward on an important mission despite opposition by two enemy tanks.

At the regular meeting of the county commissioners, votes for the two county high school boards were canvassed and those receiving the highest number of voters were declared elected. On Crook High School No. 1, Ty Butcher was elected to fill the unexpired term of one year, while Charles Chittim and Andy Policky were selected for the two three-year terms. Crook County High School No. 2, district at Hulett elected Leonard Roberts to complete the two year unexpired term of Hans Borchgrevink while Pete Jensen and Louis Sheldon were chosen for the three-year terms.

50 Years Ago

July 9, 1970

William C. Rust, president of the United States International University, will be in Sundance August 14 to explain his institution’s plans for a two-year college to be located at the former site of Sundance Air Force Station.

25 Years Ago

July 6, 1995

Ranch A is scheduled to go on the auction block on September 30 according to State Rep. Marlene Simons. Simons said it is important that the public let the congressional delegation know immediately if they disagree with this. For the past several years Ranch A has been used by the South Dakota School of Mines. Simons said they have done nothing to maintain the property and that it badly needs work on the porch, roofs and other things. She thinks it will probably need about $1.5 million for repairs.