“What is past is prologue.” 

Since 1886, The Lusk Herald has recorded the story of Niobrara County. Following are bits of that story. (All misprints and typos in this section are in keeping with the original printing.)

100 YEARS AGO –
September 5, 1919

The reinforced concrete work is now up on the four stories of the new Ranger hotel, the wooden casings in which the columns were moulded and shaped have been removed, and preparations are now under way for closing the building in. The scaffolding and timbering which was in use on the several floors while the frame was going up have been cleared away, giving the structure a skeleton-like apperance at the present time. The transformation will come rapidly, once the closing-in process begins. The high tower which formerly stood on Third street front of the big building, and which held the rigging for the hoisting of materials to the upper floors, has been removed to the center of the buliding. It has now been furnished with two elevators instead of one as originally used, its capacity being thereby doubled, the up car always carrying a load as the opposite elevator descends. The clearing of the debris from this large building has progressed with the smoothness which characterizes all the Beck & Sons operations, and the competion of the building may be looked forward to in the proper time.

75 YEARS AGO –
September 7, 1944

Niobrara chapter of the American Red Cross is very anxious to secure some sewing machines and a cupboard or wardrobe for storage space so that the sewing room can be opened here. A room has been secured in the Armory, but no work can be done until machines and a storage space which can be locked have been secured. The Red Cross officers will buy, borrow or rent the machines, and it is greatly desired that anyon knowing where one might be obtained, please notify Roy Chamberlain at the Ranger Hotel or Mrs. C. E. Scace, production cairman. It is also requested that anyone having unfinished material on hand or garments that have been made for the Red Cross, please turn these in to Mr Chamberlain.

50 YEARS AGO –
September 4, 1969

Gov. Stanley K. Hathaway will deliver the principal address Saturday, Sept. 6, at 4:00 p.m. at Van Tassell when a historical marker dedicated to America’s First American Legion Post in unveiled. Ferdinand Branstetter Post No. 1 of Van Tassell received its charter on the same day as the American Legion posts at St. Louis, Denver, and Washington D.C. There is no known record telling which post was chartered first. Andrew McMaster, an early day member of the post, will speak on the early days. Mr. McMaster donated the land on which the marker is being erected. Ed Baldwin, commander of Post No. 1, will be official representative. George Clarke will be master of  ceremonies. The Niobrara County High School Band, under the direction of Richard Pendleton, will play. The sign, which is large wooden historical sign as may be seen in many other Wyoming localities, will be hung later this week. Posts for the sign were erected a few weeks ago. Legion officials from Wyoming, Nebraska and perhaps other states will be on hand. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Miller will serve coffee and cake folling the program.

25 YEARS AGO –
September 7, 1994

Recent gas prices in Lusk may have been too low for at least one station’s own good. Kwik Stop, at 792 South Main, received a letter from Niobrara County District Attorney Robert Pfister, on August 4, questioning their gas prices. The gas station is managed by Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Baughman but owned by Peerless Tire Company. The county attorney said in his letter, the station was selling gasoline at 99.9 cents per gallon while wholesale replacement price of the gas was $1.05.4 per gallon. Pfister wrote, “…As County and Prosecuting Attorney, it is incumbent upon me to investigate these allegations of unfair trade practices, and take action to terminate the same in the event that I determine there is a violation of law.” The County Attorney wrote the letter in response to a complaint filed by, “one of your local competitor.” The identity of the complaint is unknown. After receiving the letter, prices at Kwik Stop jumped from 99.9 cents to $1.19 per gallon. No comment was made by either the Baughman’s or the Peerless Corporation. Lusk attorney George Clarke responded in writing, on August 15, to the County Attorney on behalf of the Baughmans. Clarke wrote he advised the Baughman’s to pursue a complaint against the Couty Attorney, based on unfair discrimation of business practices, which Pfister denied. The County Attorney added no further action would take place against the Baughman’s, “unless they continued to engage in unfair trade practices,” Pfister wrote.

“If you don’t see it in The Herald it didn’t happen.”