Walsenburg
1889: The Pictou mine at Sulphur Springs, owned by the Southern Colorado Fuel Company of Denver, is now producing between 15 and 20 tons of coal per day. 1896: Henry Farr discovered a body floating in the lake on the Farr Brothers ranch south of town. It was determined these were the remains of Steve Dybra, missing from Pictou since Feb. 2, and the cause of death was murder. 1902: Some 10 or 12 men and four derricks are at work at the stone quarry near here, which is operated by the C.E. Manners Construction Company of Pueblo. 1908: Dr. P.P. Lester calls his automobile “auto go”. Perhaps because it ought to go through fences and up trees, but doesn’t. 1914: A disturbance took place at Union Hall this week and one unionist was injured. 1920: Former sheriff J.B. Farr died. A native of Texas, he arrived in Walsenburg July 20, 1880 and has remained here since. He leaves his wife, the former Lois Harriman, daughters Bessie and Mabel Hill, and son Charles J. 1926: A new sanitary fountain for dispensing soft drinks and ice cream was installed in the Huerfano Drug Company store. 1932: Calumet Fuel Company is sprucing up its camp at Del Carbon with the removal of unsightly buildings and the laying out of a tennis court, golf course and ball park. 1938: Fire destroyed the Lower Maes Creek School house, eight miles
north of Badito on Turkey Creek. The building was just three years old and arson is suspected. 1942: Members of the Victory Book campaign in Walsenburg sent another 543 volumes for use by the members of the armed services. More than 2,000 books have been sent so far. 1948: The census to count enrollment of students in Huerfano County will be taken in April. Last year there were 3,826 students, which did not include Huerfano County High School. 1954: Several pounds of coffee were stolen from Norman George’s Liberty Store on West Seventh Street. It is believed the current high price of coffee, $1.27 a pound, was the cause of the theft. 1960: Pins and Needles 4-H Club, with Mrs. Chauncy Day as leader, won the window display contest held as part of the National 4-H Club Week activities. 1966: Elected president of the 4-H Child Care Group was Lorraine Espinoza. Vice president is Jessica Salazar, secretary, Carol Ortega, treasurer, Barbara Pineda and reporter, Debbie Johnson. 1972: Remy Martinez, Washington School fifth grader, won $5.00 for taking first place in the Walsenburg High School Ecology Club poster contest. 1978: John Mall High School Pantheatre will present “The Night of January 12” featuring Barbara Vigil, Raylene Pfaffenhauser, Randy Bevsek, Mark Vialpando, La Verne Maes, Jennifer Kramer and Freda Vallejos. 1984: Faye Lucero and Rumalda Trujillo, who both helped to start Mothers Club in 1934, were honored as 50 Year Members at a banquet in the Waslenburg Golf Clubhouse. 1990: Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce will host an open house for Gordon Kelley Photography in his newly remodeled studio gallery at 624 Main.
La Veta
1877: “Timberline”, alias Molly Bell, was on trial this week for robbing a watch and $25.00 from a confiding youth. The morals of the twain were shown up, but there being no proof to show how the articles were stolen, the judge discharged the fair Mollie with a reprimand. 1884: Town board issued business licenses to T. Carr for peddling for one day, and to R.T. McAuliffe and the partnership of Ryus and Cozad to sell retail liquor. 1892: A special meeting of the town fathers was called for the purpose of taking steps against the spreading of diseases. O. Bemen was appointed marshal to be paid $4.00 per day to prevent the spread of such. 1898: We are sorry to learn that the family of George Kitchen have [sic] the scarlet fever and hope great care will be taken not to spread the contagion. 1904: Mr. and Mrs. E.V. Gibbons entertained about 20 guests Wednesday evening for whist and some delightful music. 1911: The St. Patrick’s Day Ball given Friday night was a huge success, with about 120 dancers present. 1917: Town Board has appropriated $65.00 for the use of the fire department to purchase helmets, coats and other paraphernalia. 1923: The Misses Dolly Stranger, Elsie Falk and Pansy Beamer are employed by Mr. McLain at his grocery store. 1929: The La Veta Bank has offered to help finance a 4-H Club if one were started here. 1935: Real estate was on the move last night and a new red dirt came in from somewhere. 1941: Charlotte Athena Karst was surprised at a party at the home of Agnes Baker in honor of her 18th birthday by 23 guests from La Veta and Walsenburg. 1947: Elected officers of the La Veta P.T.-A were Mrs. John Bailey, president, Mrs. Ben Nason, vice president, Miss Frances Willburn, secretary and Marvin Fellers, treasurer. 1953: La Veta representatives joined those from Walsenburg and Alamosa to protest the abandonment by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad of passenger service between Pueblo and Alamosa. 1959: A surprise storm late Tuesday dumped up to a foot of snow in the La Veta area. 1965: The La Veta High School Pep Club will have its annual dance Saturday, March 20 from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. in the high school gym. 1971: Seniors on the honor roll are Keith Flowerdew, Eugene Quintana, Walter Padilla, Jeff Geiser, Russell Keeling, Sue Rohr, Peggy Arnold, Nancy Bailey, Ron Coburn, Steve Manzanares and Ed Aguirre. 1977: Some 25 guests gave a “home talent” musical show at the home of Joe and Helen Dunne above Cuchara. 1983: Winning first place in the Panadero Ski Resort slalom was the La Veta Lodge team of Sarah Bodwell, Jean Bruce Christofferson, John Caudill, Charlie Howard and Robin May. 1989: Mayor Gerald Arnold has announced his intention to resign to devote more time to his responsibilities as general manager of Cuchara Valley Resort.
