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This week in history for July 23, 2015

Walsenburg 1883: We learn the smallpox epidemic is abating in Trinidad but many cases are still recurring along the Purgatory River as far up as Stonewall. 1889: Bishop Machebeuf has died. He came to the United States 33 years ago from France with Father Ussel. 1895: One of our businessmen has suggested using coal ashes and slack from the mines on our streets to keep them dry and smooth. 1901: As of the end of the past term, the largest school districts in Huerfano County were No. 4, Walsenburg, with about 600, No. 30, Pictou, with 308 and No. 27, Rouse, with 189. 1907: We understand the water system has been extended to the Masonic cemetery which will make a thing of beauty of that ugly and barren spot. 1913: To the Lovers of Music – “When the Columbines Are Blooming Once Again”, 25 cents a copy, sold by Archibald Allison, 222 Colorado Avenue, Walsenburg, Colo. 1919: Dr. P.G. Mathews said he drove 161 miles in mud to get home from his fishing trip in Creede. 1925: There will be no county fair this year because of the lack of crops due to the dry season. 1931: Lucille Saliba received her teacher’s certificate from the Ned Wayburn dancing institute in Chicago. 1937: Safe crackers, believed to be professionals, practiced their art at the Lenzini Motor Company, 1018 West Seventh Street, at midnight Thursday and after opening two vaults escaped without any cash. 1943: Ann Zanotelli of Farr has been appointed general science instructor at the junior high in Alamosa after her graduation from Adams State College in August. 1949: Died, Martin

Ariano, 61, local beer distributor and native of Italy. He leaves his wife, Sarah, sons Martin Jr. of Ohio and Gerald B., Walsenburg, and daughter Mrs. James Tressell. 1955: More than 80 guests enjoyed one of the season’s most gala affairs, the lawn and patio supper given by the Floyd Murrs Sunday night. 1961: Twenty-one Boy Scouts of Walsenburg Troop 252 are actively engaged in swimming and boating programs at the Boy Scout Aquacade at Martin Lake. 1967: A housewarming party was held Saturday night for Mr. and Mrs. Joe J. Corsentino at their new home on Highway 10. 1973: Lowell Elisha of Dove Creek will be the new superintendent in School District No. Re-1. 1979: Walsenburg Volunteer Firemen have responded to 30 fire alarms since July 1, costing the city $2,315 in wages alone. 1985: Five years ago, in September 1980, Jack McNabb and Fred Rodriguez opened JM Tire on South Main Street. At the time, they offered only tires, but now handle auto parts and accessories. By the end of this year they expect to employ 15. 1991: Huerfano County and Walsenburg, Las Animas County and Trinidad are all included in the Historic Rural Communities for Limited Gambling that is trying to get the state legislature to get the question of gambling in these areas onto the Nov. 5, 1992 ballot.

La Veta 1881: Del Ingles, formerly of La Veta but recently employed at Kerby’s saw mill up the Cucharas, ended a long feud by shooting a man named Chapin near Stonewall. 1887: Town Board approved the bill from Mr. Thomson for “Hearding the Town Heard”. 1895: The directors of the La Veta School District No. 9 have engaged Professor Hughes of Pueblo to be principal for the next term. School will open the first Monday of September for a seven month term. 1902: Edwin L. Smith finds himself too busy with selling dry goods, shoes, etc., and running the bank to handle groceries, so he has sold his stock to William McClean [sic] who has leased a lot from J.M. Elrod on the corner of Main and Francisco and will build a 18 by 40 foot frame store. 1909: The electric light company is to wire the depot and place a light between it and the road for the public’s convenience. 1915: W.G. Jamison has contracted for the building of a 180-ton double tile silo on his Middle Creek ranch to cost about $450. 1921: Lots of yarns about old times and old timers were swapped last Sunday at the Old Settlers Picnic at Russell. 1926: School teachers this year will be Supt. Leroy Curtis, William Ford and Owin D. Smith in the high school and in the grade school will be Eloise Luzader, Margaret F. Eddy, Ivy E. McGee, Sadie Kreutzer, Bessie Myers, Helen Mayes and Edith Akers. 1932: Fourteen members and one guest attended the Spanish Peaks Circle of Neighbors of Woodcraft meeting in Stranger Hall where Pearl Mills was accepted as a new member. 1938: Prosperous times must be upon us as the E.C. Stream store has received a new exterior paint job and Coleman’s Drug added a prescription section. 1944: Fred Crouse of the Chief Theater announces a return engagement of “This Is the Army” next Thursday and Friday evenings for those who were unable to see it the first time. It is a color picture. 1950: The building of the elementary school may be postponed due to the fact only essential school construction should be undertaken while there is the possibility of future controls created by the Korean situation. 1956: Ellis H. Smith was appointed to serve Huerfano County for the Farmers Home Administration and joins Lewis E. Edmundson and Robert Andreoli on the board. 1962: For Sale – the Adamson brick duplex on West Francisco Street, $2,500. Write to Maxine Campbell, Manitou. 1968: Nola Geiser informs us she intends to build a 26-unit motel in Rocky Ford. 1974: New officers of the La Veta High School Pep Club are Caren Vezzani, president, Tammy Kreutzer, vice president, Paula Pene, secretary and Susan Leatherwood, treasurer. 1980: The first annual Francisco Fort Day will be Saturday, Aug. 16 beginning with a parade, then lunch in the saloon. In the afternoon and evening there will be an old time fashion show, contests, a kangaroo court and melodrama in the Presbyterian church, and a chili supper. 1986: John and Rae Albright will be this year’s grand marshals for the Francisco Fort Day parade.

Cement plant concerns

Building inspector suggests a negotiated move out of Northlands to site near prison WALSENBURG — The Walsenburg City Council convened a special meeting Friday, March

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