Pages of the Past

100 years ago

August 7, 1924

Mrs. Todd Calvert had the misfortune to break her right arm yesterday while cranking a Ford car. The break is not a bad one, but nevertheless she will have to carry the arm in a cast. 

During a trip through the park last week, Mrs. B.C. Hudson had the misfortune to be bitten by a bear, which she had been feeding. Burglars entered the Burlington State Bank on Monday night, blew open the safe and got away with the cash at that time on hand and a number of liberty bonds. Their haul, all told, amounted to about $5,000 or more. The burglars had also broken into every safety deposit box and rifled them. 

75 years ago

August 4, 1949

Members of the Basin Squadron Civil Air Patrol, quite by accident Sunday took part in their first search mission, E.S. McClain, squadron commander, revealed this week. Squadron members had taken portable radio equipment to the mountains above Hyattville Saturday evening to test reception quality in the rugged region when Mr. and Mrs. Orville Chamberlain of Worland were reported lost in the area McClain said. A search party took one transmitter while the other was established at a base camp. Taking part in the operation in addition to Mr. McClain were Bill West, Herman Batenhorst, Elmer Jackson, Russell Peters and William L. Breining. The couple who were lost managed to make it down the mountain to the Taylor Ranch on Sunday morning. 

Mrs. George F. Hart entertained in honor of her son, Jimmy, at a birthday party Sunday afternoon on the occasion of his fourth birthday anniversary. Invited guests included Patty and Dickie Wheeler, David Harris, Kristine, Steven and Jennifer Smith, Larry Joe Woolum, Jimmy Shelby and Darrel Hart, brother of the guest of honor. 

50 years ago

August 8, 1974

A four line legend in 8-inch block letters marred the walk leading to the steps of the Basin Post Office when postal workers arrived early last Thursday morning. What was at first identified as tar and later described as paint was removed from the sidewalk during the day. Also victimized by the vandalism was Robert Akin’s home where offensive and profane remarks were painted in large letters on the garage. 

Only minor damage resulted from a fire at the C.S. Hinkley residence Sunday afternoon. The blaze developed in a closet in their home at 651 North Sixth, but was soon extinguished. The fire was caused by a child playing with matches.

25 years ago

August 4, 1999

Janie Mills was honored on her 60th birthday with a party held July 25 at the home of her mother, Evelyn Mills, in Basin. Mills now resides at the Wyoming Retirement Center, but gets to go home once a week to visit her mom and small dog, Cocco. Mills is working on her third book of poetry. 

The Big Horn River Riparian Classroom, on land owned by the South Big Horn Conservation District, received a much-needed facelift on Saturday, July 17, when members of the Riverside High School’s Paintrock FFA chapter paid a housecleaning visit.