Walsenburg 1893: Alex Allison is on the retirement list of the Walsen mine and moved to one of the stone houses opposite Jake Mandolini’s saloon in Rosedale. 1899: We understand the hall recently fitted up by Canuto Baldonaldo will be used for dancing and other amusements. 1904: Part of the northbound Colorado and Southern freight was derailed at the foot of the grade south of town Wednesday, stopping traffic for seven hours. 1909: A.G. Fagerstrom of the Hyde Paper Company lost his sample case and cost book when his team ran away near the Gordon mine. 1915: Chop suey, rice and tea will be served at the Clerks’ Association Ball Nov. 20 in Chapman’s Hall. 1921: Governor Shoup proclaimed martial law in Huerfano and Las Animas counties last night because of the threatened coal strike, though the legality of this proclamation is questioned. 1926: About 200 rabbits were killed by local sportsmen in the annual Thanksgiving hunt. 1931: The Fox Valencia Theater will show Richard Dix in “The Public Defender” next Saturday and the admission fees will go to the local unemployment relief fund. 1936: Works Progress Administration workers henceforth will be paid twice monthly instead of daily. This affects all of the approximately 1,100 currently employed in Huerfano County currently. 1941: Gates will open promptly at 10 o’clock for the annual Panther-Crusader football game tomorrow afternoon. 1946: Coal mines are finally all open after the crippling snowstorm of
Nov. 4, although the United Mine Workers of America officials are calling for a strike. 1951: Calumet #2 coal mine, fondly known as Little Turner, closed ended its 37-year career the 15th, leaving 92 men unemployed. Superintendent Archie P. French thinks it may reopen under new ownership. 1957: Died, August B. Valentine, Gulnare rancher, 56. He leaves his wife Violet, daughter Marian Bergamo, brother John B. Valentine, mayor of Aguilar, and sisters Rose Caligaris and Ann Copytek. 1963: Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Huff were honored on their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a dinner hosted by their daughters, Mrs..C.B. Blanton, Mrs. Earl Mason and Mrs. Earl Tatman, and daughter-in-law Mrs. Bradley Huff. They were married in 1913 in Denver and came to Huerfano County in 1917 to homestead east of Walsenburg. 1969: A microwave antenna or dish has been placed on top of Capitol Hill to bring five Denver television stations to cable subscribers in Walsenburg. 1974: First National Bank in Walsenburg BanClub was initiated this week to offer free personalized checks, unlimited checking activity and other advantages. 1979: Southern Colorado Land Company has affiliated with First Mark Real Estate. Local employees are Robert Tripp, John Stroh II, Ray Wilson, Jerry Troyer and Frank and Mariann Mauro. 1984: Annette Noga opened last week Annette’s Beauty Salon at 610Main and she will be joined by Rod Martinez. 1989: A Teen Activity Center has been opened in the Trinidad State Junior College Education Center in St. Mary School with ping pong and pool tables, video games and movies.
La Veta 1895: On Thanksgiving night the Woodmen of the World will again see how rapidly the feet can keep time with the music of the violin at their masquerade ball in Ryus Hall. Lunch will be served. 1900: Quite an excitement was created Wednesday afternoon by prospectors bringing in specimens of gold ore discovered south of Indian Creek. 1906: S.J. Capps has secured a contract to supply fresh beef to five different coal camps. 1911: George A. Edmonston will occupy the new stone store building on Main being erected by E.A. Strange and it will be connected with his present store by way of an archway. 1916: Members of the Commercial Club met to discuss the proposal to open a road across the mesa between Walsenburg and Oakview and Ojo, bypassing La Veta, a measure which would be opposed here. 1922: The Methodist ladies will serve hot lunches during the local stock show and a banquet at the end of the following day, while the Presbyterian ladies will have an oyster supper and food sale Saturdayafternoon. 1927: It is unknown what route the new federal highway will take when it is extended between Walsenburg and La Veta Pass but it may continue west on a line north of La Veta and bypass the town. 1932: Mrs. Lavina Erwin, as the only surviving charter member of the Baptist Church and oldest member present, was presented with flowers during the 60th anniversary services Sunday. 1937: E.C. Stream reopened his general merchandise store at the corner of Main and Francisco after remodeling from the disastrous Oct. 4 fire. 1943: Al’s Garage has been moved from the Stranger building on Ryus Avenue to the garage building at Boyd’s Service Station at Francisco and Main. 1949: The first annual show and sale of the Huerfano County Hereford Breeders Association will be at the 4-H fairgrounds Dec. 1. The show will open with a banquet and dance the evening of Nov. 30. 1955: The Shamrock Oil and Gas Company issued in its magazine an article about Cuchara Camps with its scenery, post office, general store, chapel, lodge, café and service station. 1959: The Redskins will be in the state playoffs following their victory over Yampa 46-6 and will play Weldon Valley next week in La Veta. 1964: Huerfano County Cowbelles will have a dance Saturday night in the Chuckwagon in Cuchara. Members are asked to bring sandwiches to the dance, and their husbands. 1969: Clark Falk was burning leaves Thursday afternoon when the wind blew the flames too close to the house. Firemen extinguished the blaze but the contents were damaged when the house was filled with smoke. 1976: Colorado State University Home Extension Agent Marilyn Schwarz has resigned her position effective Dec. 31 and will return with her family to Colorado Springs to live. 1981: Rev. Charles Thompson of the United Methodist Church will give his last sermon Nov. 22 and Rev. Leroy Van Verth will deliver his first Nov. 29. 1986: Members of the Redskin football team named to all-conference squads were Kent Brunelli, Wade Kreutzer, Bruce Denton, Cliff Duzenack and Bob Weir.
