Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

January 18, 1923

Sweeping recommendations for laws to be passed by the seventeenth Wyoming legislature were made by Gov. William B. Ross. Chief among the recommendations made by the state executive were: abolish the state farm board and the state board of immigration. Combine the board of livestock commissioners, the board of sheep commissioners and the state veterinarian’s office. Adopt a severance license tax on products removed from the state. Provide for a constitutional amendment to tax the coal and oil properties instead of merely the output of those properties. Increase the inheritance tax rate. Invest a portion of the state’s permanent funds in irrigation district bonds. Increase the license fee for non-resident hunters. Imprison liquor laws violators. Require county law enforcement officials to report monthly to the governor. Provide better means for the removal of those who fail to do their duty. Urge the federal government to bar from citizenship, and make subject to deportation, aliens convicted of violating the law prohibiting the sale and manufacture of liquor.

A meeting has been called for next Monday night at commercial hall to take steps for the organization of the Sundance Band. N.K. Slott has consented to be present, and at this time organization will be perfected and a course of rehearsals arranged with Mr. Slott, who is an experienced band leader and has agreed to co-operate in the movement.

75 Years Ago

January 22, 1948

One of the largest livestock undertakings in the history of northern Wyoming passed into oblivion last week with the final liquidation of the Moorcroft Sheep Co. Incorporated in 1907 by E.L. Jackson, S. A. Guthrie, Walter Curran and Rodney King, the company carried on raising activities at the Curran ranch, north of Moorcroft with headquarters at the Empire Sheep Co. ranch. Reorganized after the hardships of the winter of 1911-12, when the Jackson and Guthrie interest bought out the other stockholders, the company went on to become outstanding with more than 30,000 acres of deeded land, stretching from Duck Creek, in Little Powder basin, to Bear Lodge. At one time in 1908, 82,000 sheep were handled by hundreds of shearers working for the Empire, requiring 30 days to run them through the shearing pens and dipping vats. All of the incorporators, with the exception of Walter Curran have passed to some cowboy heaven, while Bert Waddell of Moorcroft and Rodney Guthrie, of Newcastle, are the surviving directors.

50 Years Ago

January 18, 1972

Rodger Mathis, president of the Sundance Commercial Club during 1972, was re-elected to the post for another year at the regular meeting of the club Friday. He owns the Apache Motel in Sundance. Club members also re-elected Richard Hubbard as vice president. Hubbard is the Sundance High School vocational agriculture teacher and also owns the Arrowhead Motel. Harold Bernd, longtime secretary-treasurer for the club, will continue in that spot.

Two Crook County men were named to positions Tuesday when the Black Hills Area RC&D steering committee was reorganized. Coop Waters, Moorcroft was named first vice president while Joe Graham also of Moorcroft was selected to the executive committee.