Reflections from the files of the Saratoga Sun

100 Years Ago

December 23, 1920

Local Railroad Wants to Quit, and Applies to Public Utilities Board

The recent rumors to the effect that the owners of the local railroad contemplated discontinuing service on the S. & E. line were not without foundation, is evident by an item appearing in the Wyoming Tribune of last Friday, as follows:

“It is reported that the Saratoga & Encampment Railroad has communicated a desire to the public service commission to go out of business because of the prohibitive price of coal. This railroad had never been a financial success, because of the expense of operation and the sparsely settled territory served.

“It is said that the Union Pacific Railroad may consider favorably taking over the S. & E. and continue its operation. The Union Pacific Railroad would be in a position to extend the line into Colorado and would have the advantage of buying coal at about $2.75 at the mine, while the present ownership of the Saratoga & Encampment is paying about three times that amount”

While no announcement has been made locally by Superintendent McShane as to the future plans of the owners, the above seems to indicate that without doubt the company will discontinue operation of the road if allowed to do so.

Whether or not the Union Pacific would take over the S. & E. is extremely problematical, as that company would undoubtedly much prefer that someone else operated the branch line and delivered the traffic from this section to the main line at Walcott.

The greatest calamity we can think of that could come to the Platte Valley in the ordinary course of events would be the taking away of our railroad. The people of the community are not so much interested in the matter of who owns and operates the road, as they are in having it continue in operation.

75 Years Ago

December 20, 1945

Hanna Gymnasium Destroyed by Fire Yesterday Afternoon

Local school authorities report that the fire at Hanna yesterday afternoon, which destroyed the Hanna gym and most equipment, will not result in cancellation of the basketball game here tomorrow night between the Hanna and Saratoga high school teams.

The game will be played as scheduled, the local school to furnish suits and other equipment which will be needed by the Hanna boys for the game.

In reporting the fire, which occurred late yesterday afternoon, this morning’s Rawlins Republican-Bulletin said:

“A fire, believed to have been caused by a loose connection in the electric wires, completely destroyed the Hanna gymnasium yesterday afternoon.

“Due to extreme cold weather, little could be done to save the building. When it became apparent that the fire might spread to another close-by school building, a call was made to the Rawlins Fire Department. Rawlins’ small fire truck was immediately sent to the neighboring town, but arrived too late to help save the gymnasium.

“According to reports received in the office, approximately $3,000 of shop equipment in the manual training room, located in the gymnasium, was destroyed. Lockers, the Hanna Miners gym suits and all gym equipment also were completely destroyed. The stage, located at the end of the building and used for all Hanna school activities, was being prepared for the presentation of the annual high school Christmas party. All of this equipment was burned.

“It was feared at first that the fire might spread and also destroy the smaller building, located between the gym and the high school, and used for the housing of several of the grade classes. At the time of the outbreak of the fire, there were a few of the students in the building, however, no one was injured.

50 Years Ago

December 24, 1970

Head Cashier at Bank to Retire

After nearly 23 years of service at the Saratoga State Bank as teller and head cashier, Mrs. Ruth Doughty informed the board of directors, President John E. McNellis, fellow employees and Valley citizens that she would prefer to just go home at the end of next week and not return to her job.

The modest women doesn’t want any fanfare or fuss over her retirement, but all those who have been associated with her as workers and customers over the years feel she deserves more when she leaves the business world for a life of leisure.

Despite her objections she will be honored at an open house Wednesday afternoon,

Dec. 30, from 1 to 4:30 at the Saratoga State Bank.

The officers and staff of the bank extended an invitation to everyone to attend the open house in her honor.

Modesty again prevented Mrs. Doughty from relating her experiences at the bank since August of 1948. However, it was learned that she came to Saratoga from Iowa in 1948 to work as teller for the late F. H. Healey, then president of the local institution.

In 1959, Mrs. Doughty became head cashier of the bank, a position she has held since.

During the past two decades, Mrs. Doughty has become acquainted with and respected by several generations of persons doing business at the bank. She is admired by her fellow workers for her efficiency and is respected by the entire business community for her courtesy and personal and professional financial attitude.

Mr. McNellis said she will be missed at the bank, a sentiment shared by all of those who have been associated with her on both sides of the cashier’s window.

Mrs. Doughty said Monday that she would like to leave the bank the same way she entered it in 1948, without any special attention. However, her contribution to the community and bank since that time have earned her the respect of everyone and her friends would like to call Wednesday to wish her well during her retirement.

Saratoga will continue to be Mrs. Doughty’s home. For the first few months after leaving the bank she plans to just “take it easy.”

25 Years Ago

December 27, 1995

Shively’s Celebrates 70 Years of Service

Shively Hardware has been serving the community for 70 years, and the business and the 106-year-old building which houses it are an indelible part of Saratoga’s history.

Ed Shively came to Saratoga in 1919 and worked for Tilton & Son Hardware until 1925, when with the help of his uncle, Courtney Shively of Oklahoma, he purchased the business. And so Shivley Hardware Company was born.

Shivley’s son-in-law, John Glode, began helping to run the business in 1945 and was assisted by his sons, Mike and Joe, beginning in 1972. Joe Glode said, “We all just kind of grew up here and stated working here when we were old enough to work.”

Originally they shared the building with such businesses as the King shoe store and Conness’s insurance, real estate rock business, a grocery store and a bank. But since Ed Shively’s death, the Glode family has owned the business and has expanded into the entire building and a new south addition.

According to a 1989 article in the Saratoga Sun by Elva Evans, Shivelly’s has “one of the few unaltered store fronts remaining in Saratoga,” and “The integrity of the structure is not limited to the facade.” Though the wood floors are not original and practical improvements and alterations have been made to the interior, the building still carries the flair and flavor of its past. The 1899 bank safe, for example, is still used to safeguard ammunition.

Its heritage and the dedication of its employees have propelled Shively’s through its 70 years.

Jane Shively Glode devoted 74 years to the business, napping in a nail bin or a little red wagon or wherever it was handy in the store while parents Ed and Pearle worked. There she earned her nickname “Tough as Nails.” Jane said that as she was growing up, her brother worked in the store but, “I just played.”

“We always enjoyed it,” she said. “We had a wonderful childhood. We knew everybody, and Saratoga was a great place for children.”

When Jane grew up, she married John Glode, and with their sons they continued the family tradition. Mike Glode and Joe Glode have contributed 33 and 32 years respectively.

The family tradition isn’t strictly confined to family, though. Shorty (Russ) Moore started calling on Shively’s for Wyeth Hardware in the 1950’s, and after 45 years of service, he still smiles at customers with the ever-present pipe between his teeth and hands smiley-faced suckers out to their children.

Hank Jewell has served the store for 19 years, Marvin Lynch contributed 15 years, and the impressive list continued.

Joe Glode summed up the employee loyalty by saying, “We all like the people,” and “kind of enjoy providing service.”

Shively Hardware Co. is a part of the Valley which has withstood time’s test. Floorboards may have to be replaced occasionally, and customers may find themselves purchasing washers from plastic packaging rather than by the pound. But the true value of the business is the people who have made a commitment and just won’t quit.