110 Years Ago – 1915
While up in the hills above his place Tuesday, George Cress came across the carcass of a deer, the greater part of the flesh of which had been devoured by a mountain lion, probably the day before. Mr. Cress took his traps up to the scene, near the Hugg tunnel, Wednesday, with a view to capturing the ferocious beast.
San Isabel Forest Companions of the Forest gave a social entertainment on Wednesday evening which proved a delightful occasion to its members, their families and a lot of invited guests. A program of music and recitations was rendered, after which cards and other games were indulged in by some while others amused themselves in tripping the light fantastic toe.
The interior of the government Forest office is being treated to a coating of tint this week. To arrive at the desired shade of green has rather baffled all concerned but they have pretty nearly what they want now.
Mrs. F.L. Kennicott and her daughter, Miss Eugenia, departed Thursday on a visit to relatives in California where they will attend the two big expositions. Enroute they will visit the Elephant Buttes dam in New Mexico, the largest structure of its kind in the world. We wish these good people a pleasant trip and a safe return.
John Houle was up from Hillside this week, his first trip to this metropolis in months.
Sam, the boss cook at the Jocomo Mine, went to Denver Tuesday to spend the week. He wasn’t feeling well.
60 Years Ago – 1965
Custer County’s first 4-H Beef Calf Weigh and Grade Day will be held this Saturday afternoon at the Custer County fairgrounds. Don Svedman, county extension agent, and Larry Wagner, assistant extension agent, will weigh, grade, and photograph the 4-H calves as they start their rate-of-gain contest. All calves in the contest will again be weighed at the County Fair in August to determine the rate-of-gain contest winner.
Spring snows have been covering the Wet Mountain Valley for the past couple of days. Official weather observer Marvin Rankin reports a foot or more on the level.
Ronnie Squire, high-scoring center of the Custer County High School Bobcats basketball team, made an honorable mention in the Pueblo Chieftain and Star-Journal’s all-area Class A basketball team.
Dwight Kastendieck and Ric Ferron, students at Colorado State College at Greeley, and Carroll Kastendieck, student at Colorado State University at Fort Collins, were here during quarter break. They returned to classes on Monday.
35 Years Ago – 1990
A late morning blaze Wednesday ripped through the storage tank area at Westcliffe Petroleum where some 30,000 gallons of fuel are stored, but courageous efforts by volunteer firemen prevented what could have been a major disaster. There were no injuries, and fire officials say it appears the tanks withstood the terrific heat from the blaze, which apparently started in a semi-truck that had just delivered 7,500 gallons of fuel to the gas station. Officials say that if the tanks had ruptured, a “river of flames” could have poured into the Custer County School – which sits across from the station – and along Main Street into downtown Westcliffe. The fire was reported at 11:45 a.m. yesterday, March 28, and was under control within an hour. But in that time, flames and smoke shot hundreds of feet in the air, and the blaze was visible for miles around. Sheriff Fred Jobe and fire officials say it was fortunate that students at the school were away on spring break. At least one fire official said the school often is lax in conducting fire drills, and there could have been serious problems because students and staff may not be aware of proper evacuation plans. Station owner Russell Hartbauer said the five storage tanks ranged in size from 2,000 gallons to 12,000 gallons and held mixed fuels, including gasoline, kerosene and diesel. The total capacity is about 30,000 gallons, he said. The Westcliffe Petroleum building itself apparently sustained relatively minor damage to its east side, though the delivery truck was totally destroyed. Volunteer firemen were somewhat prepared for the blaze – last fall, they conducted a simulated, table-top disaster involving a frighteningly similar event: a tanker blaze along Highway 96 in front of Westcliffe Petroleum. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
20 Years Ago – 2005
Gary Shoun, commissioner of the Colorado State Brand Board, was among the featured speakers at last week’s annual meeting and banquet of the Custer County Stockgrowers Association. Among the locals who spoke at the meeting were Jeff Outhier of the U.S. Forest Service, Jim Sperry of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Division of Wildlife officer Becky Manly, and veterinarian Scott Gillespie.
Colorado City surveyor Dan Wachob has been named county surveyor for Custer County. He replaces Kit Shy, who took office earlier this year as county commissioner.
County Extension Agent Gary Hall is facilitating today’s Regional Tourism Rally in Westcliffe, which hopes to promote tourism in south-central Colorado. Officials from Huerfano, Las Animas, Costilla, Pueblo, Alamosa and Conejos counties are expected to be on hand.
15 Years Ago – 2010
A fast moving spring storm that began Tuesday night and ended Wednesday morning dumped between six and 24 inches of snow throughout the county, and left many residents without power for nearly five hours.
Four incumbents running unopposed in the Silver Cliff municipal election have been declared winners, and the planned April 6 election has been cancelled. Re-elected to terms in office were Brian Woods, Larry Weber, Dave Peterson and Nora Drenner.
American Legion Post 170 member Kyle Pitman, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be competing in the upcoming 3,000 mile “Race Across America” event to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Capt. Pitman is the son of Lockett and Sue Pitman of rural Westcliffe.
11 Years Ago – 2014
At last Tuesday’s Republican county assembly, delegates threw their support behind county sheriff candidate Tony Supan and incumbent county commissioner Allen Butler. Three other sheriff’s candidates – Shannon Byerly, Eric Thompson and Steve Trombley – and two commissioner hopefuls – Bob Kattnig and Jack Canterbury – will attempt to get their names on the June GOP primary ballot by going the petition route.
The Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club welcomed District Governor Wally Miller of Monument during Monday’s banquet at Sangrita’s.
Special guests were Didier and Anne Melliniof Paris, France, parents of Rotary Exchange Student Geoff Mellini, a student this year at Custer County High School.
Chuck Kastendieck had his hands full Saturday, hosting family members at his Alpine Lodge. The special occasion was for Mick and Lori Kastendieck’s anniversary, Ken Patterson’s birthday, and Adrienne Kastendieck Jacobson’s birthday.