PLATTE COUNTY – Fifty-five years of memories gone in 30 minutes. According to an e-mail sent to friends of the Powers family, who are now Platte County residents, on Monday, Feb. 22. “The fire started at about 7:30 p.m. when winds were gusting to 80 mph, – the house was completely gone in 15 minutes. Kerry and his son Quincy tried to fight the fire but the shops, ATVs, house and more are gone. They have a vehicle and are staying in town for a few days then will move back to the ranch into another house on the place. They need about everything.”

Kerry Powers spent the night in the hospital, after being “pretty singed,” including smoke damage in his lungs but was released the next morning. It was considered to be possible high winds caused electric wires to start the fire.

Their daughter, Sally Nichols, posted this on Facebook: “Hello all. My folks’ home burned down last night. They literally have nothing. There is a drop-off for donations at The Country Store in Wheatland. There is an account for them at Platte Valley Bank in Wheatland. Fifty-five years of memories gone in 30 minutes. They narrowly escaped, Quincy was knocked out of the front door and dad knocked back in, but he found a way out. As you know, my folks are amazing people and will rise above. They believe in the Lord and are grateful to be with us. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they rebuild.” 

Niobrara residents have rallied to find several ways to help the Powers family. Monetary donations can be sent to Platte Valley Bank, 200 16th Street, Wheatland, WY 82201. Teachers at Lusk Elementary School, who worked with Clara Powers, are collecting donations and putting a booklet of memories together to send her. Area residents with memorabilia that includes the Powers family in any way are encouraged to bring items to the Niobrara Senior Center, where they can be collected to include in a scrapbook, which will be assembled in a couple months (scrap-bookers will be welcome/needed). Check family albums and yearbooks for pictures to copy. Perhaps, just write a note or simple letter and accompany it with a picture for a new memory.

The Powers family moved to Niobrara County from Goshen County about two decades ago, with their three children, Charlie, Quincy and Sally, who were school-aged and graduated from Niobrara County High School. Kerry Powers had become the Supervisor of the local Soil Conservation District.

After moving here, Clara Powers was hired by the School District as a Title I teacher. The entire family was involved in Niobrara activities including the Rawhide Pageant. (Who can forget watching the Rawhide Pageant scene with Clara milking the family cow in front of the grandstand for the tourists, who thought milk came from a bottle?) Clara was a county-wide 4-H leader, with an emphasis in dairy cows, including coach of judging teams of dairy projects. Denise Smith, Niobrara Extension Agent, recalls Ty Baker and Quincy’s daredevil decision to go bungee jumping at the Wyoming State Fair, and a former teacher who recalled, “Quincy was a handful!” Sally, an active 4-H member, used her sewing skills to make a new outfit for everything she participated in. She was also in Job’s Daughters. Obviously, the Powers family has lifetime friends, who remember them well, and wish to help in any way they can.