Days Gone By

Days Gone By: Jan. 3, 2019

The Meeker Herald

125 years ago

On Saturday evening, Dec. 30, 1893, to the wife of David Smith, a daughter. Mother and child are doing nicely, while David is being besieged with the usual congratulations, in which The Herald most cordially joins.

– Bill George of Powell Park, is now a full-fledged member of the bear hunters’ club, having killed one of the largest specimens of the bear family (a few days ago) ever seen in this county, thereby asserting his right to membership in the above named organization. We also learned that Bill is somewhat of a lion hunter too, having killed one in a novel way the other day. He followed the puma up a tree and grabbing its tail wrapped it three times around the trunk of the tree, in which position he held the candal appendage until he could reach his revolver when he dispatched the lion. C.L. Walrad, who witnessed the contest, says it measured 13 feet 9-3/4 inches from tip to tip.

The Meeker Herald

100 years ago

– Our battleships literally eat paint. The initial-color requirements for a new battleship cost about $25,000 which is the price of about 100 tons of the kind of paint the navy uses. In addition to this, it is customary to repaint the different parts of a ship two or three times a year. This brings the annual outlay in paint for the entire fleet to $1,000,000.

– The present king of Sweden is said to be the only monarch ever known to wear eyeglasses on state occasions. In point of fact, both eyeglasses and spectacles are very rare among royalties of today. This certainly is true of our own royal family, says the London Chronicle, no living member of which employs any aid to vision. There was a time when Queen Victoria would not allow anyone wearing spectacles to appear before her at court.

– It is youth and not learning that usually make young people smart–in their own estimation.

The Meeker Herald

50 years ago

– 1968 will go down in economics histories as “the year of the great boo-boo.” Early it was recognized that the economy was overheating…that a cooling off was necessary to prevent runaway price boosts and the inevitable aftermath of recession. The government opted for a fiscal “wet blanket” to smother the inflationary fires…and belatedly the surtax on personal and corporate incomes was enacted, effective mid-1968. But the boom rolled on.

– Jim Cook, senior quarterback of the 1968 Meeker high school champion football team, is one of the 101 football players named to the North and South squads for the annual All-State games in Pueblo in August. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. K. James Cook.

– Next Tuesday afternoon, Rio Blanco County’s two new County Commissioners will take their oath of office and join Commissioner Hugh Caldwell as the three men who will guide the county along its path of progress the next four years. The public swearing in ceremony will be performed by County Clerk and Recorder Sue Mantle at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan 6, in the county commissioner’s room. Charley Bloomfield, commissioner district No. 3, and Jay Rector, commissioner district No. 2, were elected to their first four year term of office in last Novembers general election. The two men replace Bill Murray and Ivo Shults, present county commissioners. Murray declined to run for office while Shults was defeated in the primary race. The third member Mr. Caldwell will be starting his 31st consecutive year as commissioner for Rio Blanco County.

The Meeker Herald

25 years ago

– Twenty members of the Meeker Chorale sang in Denver on Dec 18, participating in the annual Victorian Christmas Walk. Meekerites traveling over included sopranos Rhonda Hilkey, Raeanne Crawford, Lila Cox, Ethel McCarthy, Bobbie Jo Tucker, Lee Ann Merritt, Bonnie Coryell and Rosemary Hilkey; altos Melanie McKee, Pat Robinson, Mary Strang, Lee Jirak, Elaine Jordan, Mary Washburn, and Stacey Hoyes; basses Art Cox, Ed Jirak and Van Merritt; and tenors Stan Cook and Barbara Doneker.

– Since the Division of Wildlife area deer management plan has been made available to the public a few local guides and outfitters have expressed concerns the DOW was intending to drop the deer population below what the area has been able to sustain in past years. In the Data Analysis Unit D-7 plan, DOW officials decided to change their current objective of a 75,000 deer population to 67,500-or to what the current population has been for the last year or so. Another objective of the DOW is to change the sex ratio from the current 17.4 buck to 100 does and 50 fawns per 100 does, to 20 bucks per 100 does ad 60 fawns per 100 does.

– Although the total pupil count for the district has dropped this year, large numbers of students in certain areas are causing a few headaches for the Meeker School District. Grouped into two sections this year instead of three as in previous years, third-grader teachers find themselves working with 27 students apiece at present, and when crowded into the small elementary school classrooms, “It’s not the best of situations,” explained building principal Bill Ertmer.

Rangely Times

50 years ago

– Hailey Smith was recently awarded a scholarship to attend the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. The scholarship was awarded by the U.S. Space an Rocket Center, on the basis of teacher recommendations, grades and student essay. Hailey also received a first-place award in the National Math Olympiad. Hailey is 11-years-old and lives in Sandy, Utah. She is the granddaughter of Faye Thompson Real and the great granddaughter of Stella Thompson of Rangely and the late Carl Thompson. She is also the great-granddaughter of Dorothy Real of Rangely and the late James Real.

– “Historically, winter is the most hazardous time for coal mine explosions,” said Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich. “This winter we are redoubling our efforts to reach every mine operator and mine in the country with the message: these tragedies can be prevented.” Last December, eight Virginia miners lost their lives in an explosion. Recently, a mine explosion in Kentucky claimed another miner’s life.

Rangely Times

25 years ago

– For the world at large the prospects for a happy new year in 1969 are at least no worse than they were a year ago. For many they would appear to be even brighter. Insofar as Rangely is concerned, this is a prosperous, busy community, a pleasant place in which to live. With prospects for a new post office, city-county building, plans for oil shale development and the nuclear test during the next 12 months, we can look forward to an even happier 1969.

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
  • Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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