The Meeker Herald
125 years ago
-On Wednesday afternoon Freeman W. Fairfield met with an accident which will keep him indoors for a few months. He was on his way to Powell Park with a young, frisky team attached to a wagon, and in the neighborhood of the Bernstein ranch the animals took fright at a scraper or plow with which Luke Devlin was fixing the road there. The wagon-tongue broke and Mr. Fairfield was thrown out, landing on his hip. Mr. Devin brought the wounded man to town and medical aid summoned. The hip joint was found to be dislocated and also fractured. The patient is getting along as well as can be expected.
The Meeker Herald
100 years ago
– Everyone remembers when he or she was a child how irritating it was to have our parents pick all our clothes without giving us any choice in the matter. In the Woman’s Home Companion a writer says: “Now, what I am asking for the boys Is this: Take your sons with you when you buy their clothing. Consult their tastes somewhat. Don’t let them select anything ridiculous, but give them a choice of half a dozen sensible coats or hats or whatever it may be. Don’t scold them too much if they come home with the straps on their bloomer trousers unhooked so the trouser legs are almost long. No doubt the captain of the baseball team and ’all the other fellows’ wear theirs that way. Or If your boy comes up the street with his cap over his right ear, while you are telling him that he looks ‘Just like a little street tough’ remember it was the style that you, yourself followed last winter, and that ’what all the fellows do’ means Just as much to Johnny as Paris notes do to you.”
– The legislative, which adjourned this week, adopted a new county salary scale. Treasurer, Clerk and Recorder, Sheriff and Assessor, for this county, will each receive $1,800 per year. The County Judge Is raised from next to nothing to $1,200 per year. The county Superintendent’s salary remains as at present—$1,100. Commissioners also remain as at present—$700 per year. These salaries, under the law, do not go into effect till 1921.
– Marshall Hopkins can now pose as the luckiest man in these parts. He won the fine auto which was disposed of by chance, at Alfred’s pool hall last week. This makes the third auto Marshall has pulled in the same way.
The Meeker Herald
50 years ago
– The hungry appetite of some lucky family will be satisfied when they win the 6 and a half x 5 and a half x 3 ft. sack (which sets about as high as Mr. and Mrs. Tom Murray can reach) filled solid with groceries to be given away at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Tom Murray’s Market in Meeker. Wouldn’t you like to be that lucky person? This contest is part of Murray’s annual anniversary sale, celebrating 12 years in the grocery business.
– At the Rio Blanco Course as of April 1, the current snow depth is 47.1 inches, with a water content of 16.4. The 20-year average here is 45.9 with water content of 16.5. Present water content is 99.4% of the 20-year average. On Burro Mountain, Bob Buckles of the Soil Conservation Service and Bill Jordan, who took these readings, report the snow depth is 50.9 inches with a water content of 19.4. The 20-year average here is 55.7 inches of snow with water content average of 18.3. This is 106% of the 20-year average water content.
– Mrs. Sally Ryan of Meeker was the happy winner of “The World’s Largest Grocery Bag” given away by Tom Murray’s Market at the end of their two-day 12th anniversary sale Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Ryan’s guess at the total retail value of the grocery-laden bag was $212.67, only 10c more than the actual value, $212.57. Mrs. Ryan’s magic formula for her near accurate guess was to simply choose one of her previous month’s grocery bills. Dr. and Mrs. Ryan are the parents of six children ranging from two to 12 years of age.
The Meeker Herald
25 years ago
HERALD TIMES PHOTO
– Tomorrow, Friday, will be a big day for Margie Wilber as she will be retiring from her duties as Deputy County Clerk for Rio Blanco County. Coming to join Margie and husband Bob for the retirement festivities planned for Friday afternoon at the Courthouse and the retirement dinner party at Sleepy Cat that evening, are her daughter Pauline Stehle and granddaughter Anna of Denver.
– Owner Wendy Kiser has announced the opening of her new women’s clothing store, Wendll’s Clothes & Collectibles at 574 Market St. next to the Meeker Hotel. The contemporary women’s clothing store and boutique carries a full line of very fashionable dresses, blouses, jeans, and shorts, while offering a collection of southwestern style jewelry and watches. Once a merchandise consignment outlet location, the new clothing store has been completely refurbished to reflect a contemporary style that lends itself to the nicely designed store that fits well with Kiser’s stock of clothing and jewelry. “It’s been a goal of life. Ever since moving here I’ve wanted to open a clothing store. It’s a good retail climate,” admits Kiser, who has waited for the location to open up for some time.
Rangely Times
50 years ago
– WCO Lou Vidakovich of the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Department was shown holding up a large bald eagle killed some 20 miles east of Rangely this week. The big bird, measuring over 81 inches in wing spread, was shot with a rifle by parties unknown. As bald eagles are protected by Federal law, the killer is subject to a fine up to $1,000 and imprisonment for six months in a Federal prison.
– Sen. Gordon Allott wired Mayor B.F. Yaeger today that Rangely’s new post office would be located on the corner of Birch and Main Streets, on property purchased from John Comstock for $5,000. The site contains 15,269.2 sq. ft.
– Dr. George Douglas was notified recently that he had been designated as an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner, which qualified him to give FAA qualified Class 2 and Class 3 physical examinations in all types of pilot programs, including private and commercial pilots. Individuals requiring such examinations will no longer be required to go to Grand Junction or other places to receive them.
Rangely Times
25 years ago
– Once again the Cook brothers are hitting the highways for a breathtaking, heart stopping 27 weeks of motorcycle racing. On Saturday, March 26, the Cook Brothers Racing Team (riders Ryan and Rusty) and mechanic (Grandpa Bill) and, cheering section (the boy’s mom Lonnie and Vernon Powell) were on their way. After several hours of hazardous driving conditions and a not-so-relaxing trip, they arrived in Aurora to prepare for the next day’s races. After pizza for dinner and an exciting pillow fight, the boys went to bed, very unconcerned about the next day’s weather. Unfortunately, race day dawned on very adverse racing conditions. With a wind chill factor of 0 degrees and blowing snow at 25 miles per hour, the team arrived at the race track, only to find that the track was frozen. Even this did not discourage the young riders. They were determined to show the Eastern Slope riders what the Western Slope riders could do.
– Natalie McBride was selected to play in the all-state concert band on April 7, 8, and 9 in Greeley, Colorado. One hundred and two students have been selected, representing 626 students from 133 high schools participated in the December all-state band auditions. Natalie is a sophomore in Rangely High School and plays the flute. She moved here from Texas and has been a great addition to the high school band. She is excited and looking forward to all of the activities the state has lined up. Congratulations Natalie and good luck at state!
– On March 20, Amberlee McPhail played in the Colorado coaches of girls’ sports basketball game. It featured top players from 1A/2A north against the top 1A/2A south team. Amberlee played on the north team and did a super job.
