(Information was gleaned from copies of the Wet Mountain Tribune, all from the fourth week in July.)

100 Years Ago – 1909

Several water suits have occupied the time of Justice Jordan’s court the past few days and several fines of $50 or so have been imposed upon some of the farmers who have been trespassing upon their neighbors’ rights to the use of water for irrigation.

We understand a big order for lumber for the mill to be built on the Silver Bar mining property has been placed with the Merten Lumber Co.

At the Geyser Mine the work of repairing cables and fixing up the sheave wheels is in progress.

H.F. Knuth of the Westcliffe Hardware Co. left Monday for Sonora, Mexico, where he goes to investigate first a mining proposition and later agricultural land. Helmuth is conservative and will look twice before he leaps. Fred Moore, of Ilse, went with him and will see what is to be seen there.

Frank Hightower has assumed charge of the café at the “L” Barroom and will strive to satisfy the trade.

The railroad boys, Messrs. Gleyre, James, Rosenstrauch and Alberts, spent last Sunday along the streams in quest of speckled beauties. They didn’t fill their baskets but secured a good mess each.

Two barrels of genuine cider vinegar three years old – just the thing for pickling purposes – just received at J.P. Falkenberg’s.

Mrs. George Walker and little daughter, Hazel, went to Denver last Saturday to remain over the weekend with Mrs. Walker’s father, Mr. Everett.

50 Years Ago – 1959

The first annual amateur state championship water ski meet will be held at Lake DeWeese on July 25 and 26. Bill McCarty, owner of Lake DeWeese Lodge, said entry blanks are available for those who wish to compete. The meet is expected to bring in thousands of visitors over the weekend, and it may be necessary for Custerites to take some of the competitors and spectators into their private homes for housing.

The opening of the official Custer County museum at Silver Cliff is being delayed because local persons are lax in bringing in museum worth relics of this area. Jim Turner, Silver Cliff mayor, urges people to look over their premises and anything reminiscent of early days in the Valley would be welcomed at the museum.

Seven Boy Scouts and their leader, Clarence McKinley, have returned from Camp Hasty at Hasty, Colo., below the John Martin Dam. The Scouts were Mike DuBridge, Charles (Bud) Piquette, Ray Lewis, Dominic Salameno, Jack Seifert, Harvey Dean Rusk and Ric Ferron.

25 Years Ago – 1984

The C-1 Board of Education has decided to postpone a decision on whether or not to ban “tailgating” in the school parking lot during public dances. Westcliffe Police Chief Terry Killen wants to ban the long-standing practice of adults bringing beer or other alcoholic beverages to enjoy in the parking lot during public dances. “We’re going to have to think about this a little while,” said board president Jack Geroux.

Lavina Reis is serving as summer office assistant for County Extension Agent Bill King. Reis, daughter of George and Zara Reis of rural Westcliffe, obtained her degree in music education from Greenville College in Illinois earlier this year.

Forest Service officials now say it is unlikely that hundreds of damaged trees in Hardscrabble Canyon will recover. The large ponderosas and entire stands of Aspen were damaged when a warm stream of air hit the frozen trees last winter, causing them to thaw and dehydrate.

10 Years Ago – 1999

Jeremy Handy’s 1,200 pound steer was named grand champion at last weekend’s Custer County Fair. Handy’s steer was sold to Salida Motors for $3.40 a pound. Total proceeds from Sunday’s 4-H and FFA livestock sale were $84,800 for the 56 animals hitting the auction ring.

In a special session of the school board on Tuesday, Shawn Schultz was appointed to the vacancy created by the resignation of Gerald Taylor.

Helen Montgomery of upper Verdemont Road celebrated her 95th birthday on Wednesday as she often does: tending her high-altitude flower and vegetable garden.

The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to conduct several controlled burns in the Wetmore area, covering more than 3,500 acres of public land.

5 Years Ago – 2004

Documents filed with the Custer County clerk’s office show that more than $17,000 has been contributed to the political campaigns of the four Republicans running for county commissioner. In district three, Kit Shy has amassed the largest fund, with $6,856 in contributions recorded. His primary challenger, Randy Rusk, has received $3,656 in donations. In district two, incumbent Dick Downey has received $1,395 in donations, while challenger Lynn Attebery has reported $5,550 in contributions. The four will be squaring off in the August GOP primary election.

Retired professor Dr. Carole Custer and her 19-year-old grandson, David Custer, both of rural Westcliffe, have returned from the annual Capital Conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by Colorado Senator Wayne Allard. This was the Custers’ second trip to the conference.

A Pueblo auditor has completed a review of the finances of the West Custer County Hospital District and has concluded that the district board is doing an excellent job of managing the district’s finances.

1 Year Ago – 2008

With gasoline prices across the state and the nation topping the $4 mark, many have predicted a dismal summer tourist season this year. However, retail sales tax figures recorded so far this year do not reflect that notion. For the first half of 2008, county sales taxes total $200,473, compared to $198,100 for the same period last year, an increase of slightly more than one percent.

With sales topping $129,500, this year’s Custer County 4-H and FFA livestock sale on Sunday is one that will go down in the record books as the biggest ever. Last year’s sale brought in $120,900.

Wanda Johnson has been appointed to the vacant seat on the Westcliffe town board. She replaces Randy Wilhelm who recently resigned. Johnson is expected to be sworn-in in August.