101 years ago
Nov. 21, 1912
Killing at Ft. Steele
Sunday night at Ft. Steele, Melvin Davis killed his sister, Mrs. Frank Ryder with an ax. We are unable to learn just why he committed the crime, and the only reason he can give, is that he was temporarily insane at the time he committed it. He would have killed the two oldest girls but they escaped him in his frenzy. Mrs. Ryder is the wife of the pump man at Ft. Steele and is the mother of six children. Had it not been for the interference of one or two of the cooler headed citizens the rest would have lynched Davis at the time when he was caught. He was given a preliminary hearing in Rawlins Tuesday, after the inquest, and pled insanity.
He attempted to strangle the two girls and one of them had her neck badly bruised before getting away from him. A case of insanity like that ought to be treated to quick justice, as it is nothing more or less than a bad temper getting away from a man, as he was perfectly sane, apparently before and after the crime. He is kept closely guarded to prevent lynching, and he is probably safe unless moved from the county jail to the pen.
75 years ago
Nov. 17, 1938
Ski course now being built on Barrett Ridge
A crew of enrollees from the local CCC camp started Monday of this week on the construction of the winter sports area on Barrett Ridge, below Medicine Bow Lodge. Kenneth K. Clark, project superintendent for the local camp, stated this morning that the pathway from Ten Mile Resort to the course is done, and that the boys are now clearing the brush and trees from the course proper which will extend up the steep north slope of Barrett Ridge in that area. The approach trail from Ten Mile, Supt. Clark state, is about ten feet wide, and about half mile long.
Forest Supervisor J.S. Veeder of Laramie was in Saratoga Sunday to talk with local sponsors of the course, and also made another visit to the area for a final inspection. The local CCC camp devotes its activities to forest projects exclusively and its work on the ski area is under the supervision of Mr. Veeder’s office in Laramie.
Supervisor Veeder has proved himself somewhat of an enthusiast for winter sports, and his hearty approval of an area here is very gratifying to Platte Valley fans. He stated Sunday that in addition to the course and pathway, a shelter house with fireplace, latrines and other minor improvements will be installed, and that an all-around nice winter playground is to be provided.
About 40 men from the CCC camp are working on the project, and if favorable weather prevails, it is expected that most of the work will be done within the next two or three weeks.
A similar area is under way on the Laramie side of the range.
50 years ago
Nov. 21, 1963
Fire at Shively Hardware Tuesday
Little damage, except from smoke, resulted from a fire at the Shively Hardware Co. store Tuesday morning. The blaze was confined to a small section of lower wall and floor joists on the south side of the building, according to Don Herold, fire chief.
About 20 volunteer firemen answered the 8:00 a.m. alarm, which was turned in by Louis Carpenter, Shively employee who discovered the fire when he came to work.
Roy Welton, owner of Welton’s Western Wear, next door to the hardware store, also reported damage to his stock from smoke seepage. No estimate of damages to either business has been made, however. Chief Herold said the cause of the fire has not yet been definitely determined.
25 years ago
Nov. 23, 1988
Tigers lose to state grapplers
A seesaw battle until late in the fourth quarter, the Encampment High School varsity boys basketball team lost to a number one ranked Snake River High School 67-57 Friday at home.
The Tigers kept pace with the Rattlers going into the locker room at halftime down by five, 37-32.
The beginning of the fourth period had the teams tied at 46 when Snake River scored six unanswered points before a Tiger timeout.
Lance VanDyke came back to shoot a three pointer making the score 52-49.
The two teams exchanged baskets, with another 20 footer by VanDyke bringing the score to 57-54 in favor of the Rattlers.
With two minutes left in the Tigers came out with a barrage of unsuccessful three point attempts as Snake River continued to score brining the final to 67-57.
“We played a good game, but had a few mental errors. We held them to their lower point total of the year,” said coach Bob Edwards.
VanDyke led all players with 18 points and Cord Merrill with 16. Junior Keith Burgess brought down 17 rebounds and Mark Perdue scored 11.
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