100 Years Ago

Sept. 20, 1917

Goshen County Journal

Great local resources in Goshen County

Unsurpassed farm lands, and now assured of oil and coal, the citizens of Goshen County have many reasons to be thankful. For more than a year past, Goshen Hole has been the favorite haunt of many eminent geologists. The findings of these gentlemen resulted in the drilling of the territory held under lease by the Goshen Oil and Gas Co. The drillers of the company last fall cut an oil sand at a depth of 752 feet, but before doing so a water sand of unusually large flow was pierced at a point between 400 and 500 feet below the surface. 

More young men leave for training camps

Eighteen young men are scheduled to leave this Saturday evening to be enrolled with the country’s fighting forces. A correct list seems to be unavailable at this time but can no doubt be secured in time for our next issue. They are a fine bunch of young men and we regret to see them go. We know they will acquit themselves in a manner reflecting credit on themselves wherever they may be called.

75 Years Ago

Sept. 23, 1942

Basic training course completed

The outstanding event of the second day’s basic training course, which was competed Sunday under the direction of the Citizens’ Defense Committee, was the address of R. H. Nelson, FBI agent from Pueblo, Colo.., who outlined the part of the FBI in defense.

Approximately the same size crowd attended the school last Sunday as the previous Sunday, and secured preliminary instruction in incendiary bombs, types and composition, and methods of handling fire defense and other protective measures. The duties of air raid wardens were presented during the afternoon session.

In his discussion, Agent Nelson stressed the need for all citizens to be alert and report subversive activities, but emphasized the fact that at that point the citizen’s part is ended. “Make no investigation – that is the duty of the FBI and the amateur usually only makes it hard for the FBI to go ahead,” Nelson said.

Blazers will tangle with Bearcats Friday

Following a week layoff after blasting the Midwest Oilers 26-6 in their initial encounter, the Torrington Trailblazers will venture to Scottsbluff on Friday night of this week where they will accept the challenge of the Bearcats.

The Trailblazers, winners of last year’s game by a score of 26-9, have been undergoing extensive drills and expect to stand ready for a royal battle from the opening kickoff to the final gun. The Evansmen were strengthened during the past week by the reappearance of two veteran gridders: They are Ralph Haley, tackle, and Al Hawks, halfback. These two will probably see action against the Bearcats.

There will undoubtedly be a passing blitz, since both teams have unusual accuracy in tossing the pill around.

50 Years Ago

Sept. 21, 1967

Snow, frost little harm to field crops

Unsettled weather brought the season’s first snowfall and light frost to several Wyoming communities last week, according to the Wyoming and United States Departments of Agriculture. This early-season cold from was accompanied by light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds. The moisture was beneficial to range feed and winter wheat seedings, but delayed late hay, grain and dry bean harvesting in several areas.

Light frost was quite general over the state, but damage was confined to flowers and vegetable gardens, with little loss or damage to field crops. Corn is about the only crop left that would be severely damaged by frost. The current corn for grain crop is late, with only 20 percent of the acreage mature. 

Cutting silage corn continued last week with 40 percent of the expected acreage cut. Windrowing of dry beans reached the three-quarter mark.

Lingle to get cable TV soon

Bill Harrison, Jack Harrison and Kenneth Kluherz, representatives of the Torrington Community Television System, Tuesday night appeared before the Lingle Town Council to request a franchise for the operation of a cable television system in Lingle.

Council approved the request unanimously after discussing the legal and other aspects of the proposal. It is expected the system will be in operation by December. The biggest hurdle is gaining approval of the CB&Q Railroad for use of their poles along the right-of-way from Torrington. Quick approval is expected.

Lingle TV viewers will enjoy programs on channels 2, 4, 7 and 9 from Denver, channel 10 from Scottsbluff, Cheyenne’s channel 5 and channel 13 out of Alliance. Two FM radio stations from Denver will also be made available.

25 Years Ago

Sept. 23, 1992

Some business doing well, other slow

While segments of the local economy appear to be stagnate, other businesses are experiencing booming sales and growth.

Kathryn Kelly, manager of J.C. Penny’s Catalog Store in Torrington, said she distributed more than 1,000 catalogs during the first month of business. She said eight truckloads of merchandise have already been delivered to the Torrington store.

Kelly said people seem to be buying a little bit of everything through the catalog store, but specialty items make up the bulk of the orders.

“That includes window dressings, Tall and Big Men’s clothing and the larger sizes of women’s clothing,” she said.

Another Torrington store which is doing well is “Just A Buck” on Main Street, said store manager Julie Cook. The discount store opened Aug. 10 and during the last two weeks, business has settled down to what she thought it would be.”

Cook said it’s her opinion high prices account for at least part of the reason some store owners say they aren’t doing well, while other stores can hardly keep up.

“We’re trying to encourage people to shop at home,” Cook said. “By offering a broader variety of merchandise, we’re hoping it will encourage people to stay in Torrington
and shop.”