“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 – Dec. 30, 1921

Mrs. Blanche Leonard and Miss Grace Thompson, both of Lusk, were arrested in Aberdeen, S. D., recently by Lon Roach, state law enforcement officer, on a charge of being accomplices in the theft of several cars which have been stolen in this part of the state. They are being held in the Douglas jail. There is some doubt as to there being evidence sufficient to hold the mon the charge of auto stealing but they will be held as witnesses in connection with man arrested in New Mexico for car theft in Casper and Douglas. Pete Cramer, who worked in the blacksmith shop for C. A. Barber during the boom in Lusk, is also being held in the Douglas jail as a witness. 

Last Tuesday morning, just as the passenger train left Lusk, Scoutmaster H. W. Johnson and the boy scouts started on a midwinter hike with Manville as their destination. The snow was deep and made the walking quite difficult, although the boys greatly enjoyed the exercise. About half way between here and Manville they halted and ate their dinner, which, no doubt, was eaten with relish, as there is no better appetizer than a long walk in the crisp air. Arriving in Manville about three o’clock, they were given the use of the basketball hall, where they rested and warmed up until about six o’clock, when they caught a freight train back to Lusk. They were a weary bunch but said that the good time they had was well worth it. 

75 YEARS AGO – Jan. 2, 1947

Lusk’s fire department was called out twice Sunday to put out two fires caused by oil stoves. In the morning at 11:00 the oil stove of the Foltz Grocery became overheated and smoked up the entire store causing extensive damage to the stock. Harold Foltz, owner of the grocery, said he would have to await the arrival of the insurance adjuster today before making plans for reopening. Sunday afternoon about 4:30 the department was called to the Lusk Cabin Camp where an overheated oil heater had caused a fire in one of the cabins. Though the fire department made usually quick response, the interior of the cabin was greatly damaged. Sid Shockley purchased the cabin camp from Wm. Milburn over a year ago. 

Two men, Lloyd Schaefer of Lusk and Richard Lipska of Lance Creek, were badly burned about the face and hands Sunday morning at 8:30, when an explosion occurred in the well engine house in which they were working. Both are in the Spencer Hospital. 

There have been two new registrants during the past week. They are Richard H. Lenz of Lusk and Dick V. Welch of Lance Creek. It is reported that Charles L. Miller and Jarven W. Robinson have re-enlisted. 

50 YEARS AGO – Dec. 30, 1971

Each evening many cars pass slowly along the streets approaching the hospital, circle in front of it and around the gravel derive on the south – some prefer coming up the gravel street from Highway 85. But they all have the same purpose – they are looking at the Niobrara Hospital Auxiliary’s Lights of Love Christmas Tree which sparkles from the distance, and as the viewer gets closer has a definite glow. Making the tree to glow are colored lights representing money gifts which will help pay for heart equipment for the hospital. Once monitor and defibrillator were purchased, and now funds are being raised for a second $1200 monitor. 

Niobrara County was the only county in the state in which residents did not draw unemployment insurance benefits for the month of October. In October of 1970 two individuals drew $318. 

25 YEARS AGO – Dec. 31, 1996

The Niobrara County Commissioners are inviting all landowners, sportsmen and other interested persons to a public hearing at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. Tracy Hunt from the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will present proposals to enhance hunting and wildlife opportunities, according to county commissioner Tom Hamilton. Hunt will be discussing proposals designed to provide landowners incentives to allow public access. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer period when people can express their views and concerns. 

Chamber chooses its best decorated house. What a wonderful selection of Christmas lights and beautifully decorated houses. I received numerous calls on the voting of the best decorated Christmas house, but the winner is…Virgil and Janet Ningen. Congratulations! The Ningen’s will receive an honorary Chamber membership and a $10 gift certificate to any chamber business. What a great show of community unity.

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