100 Years Ago
June 20, 1918
Goshen County Journal
Yoder brothers buy control Cheyenne bank
A big business transaction took place last week when B. F. and Jess Yoder, prominent cattlemen of this part of the state, purchased the stock control of the Citizens National Bank of Cheyenne from A. A. Spaugh of Manville. B.F. Yoder has been elected president of the bank and he and his brother, Jess, are members of the board of directors.
This is one of the important financial institutions of the state with a capital stock of $100,000 besides surplus and undivided profits. Yoder brothers also hold a controlling interest in the Torrington State Bank of this city.
Popular Goshen County couple wed
Married Saturday, June 15, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. S. Smith of Springer, Miss Blanche Smith and Mr. Francis J. Hughes, son of Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Hughes. Rev. J. C. Mahaffey officiated.
Both the bride and groom in this instance are members of two of the best known and respected families in the county, are young people of excellent character. It is with the greatest sincerity and pleasure the Journal family joins with a multitude of friends in wishing for them the greatest success and happiness.
75 Years Ago
June 24, 1943
Scrap ready for shipment
A total of 302 tons of scrap was collected from farms and ranches of Goshen County last Wednesday when many volunteered to assist in the all-out drive.
The scrap was deposited at various junk yards throughout Goshen County, from where it will be shipped to the factories. The following reports were given as to the amount of scrap collected in the various vicinities: Ft. Laramie, 35 tons; Lingle, 40 tons; Jay Em, two tons; Yoder, 60 tons; Torrington, 63 tons; Hawk Springs, three tons; Veteran, 15 tons; Huntley, 40 tons; LeGrange, 29 tons, and; Iowa Center, 15 tons.
Boy Scouts enjoying summer camp
About 28 Boy Scouts are enjoying the summer camp at Laramie Peak, which opened Monday morning and will conclude Saturday.
Boys are present from Sunrise, Guernsey and Wheatland. Lyle Holm, field executive for the Wyo-Braska Area Council, is in charge of the camp. He is being assisted by five older Scouts who have had outstanding camping records. One of the leaders of the troop, Orlo Goodrich of Wheatland, is attending the camp.
Others attending are the Rev. Higby of Wheatland and Coach Secrest of Sunrise.
About 40 boys are planning to attend another camp at Chadron State Park, which will get underway next week.
50 Years Ago
June 20, 1968
County approves bond for library site
The Goshen County Board of County Commissioners approved a general bond election in the amount of $47,500 for the purpose of purchasing a new library site. The proposed new location will be at the corner of 20th Avenue and East A Street, across from the Torrington Medical Building. The building formerly housed a grocery store.
The present Goshen County Library is located in the old I.O.O.F. building and has its entrance from the alley.
The bond election will be held during the primary election on Aug. 20. If approved, the county will issue general obligation negotiable coupon bonds.
Sales tax up 40 percent in May
The total sales tax reported in May from Goshen County was $47,328, compared with $33,639 in May 1967, according to Fran Hillard, chairman of the Wyoming Tax Commission, in the June Report released on June 14. This represents an increase of 40.69 percent.
Torrington’s share of the one-half percent distribution totaled $2,479. The county’s share of the tax, based on population outside incorporated cities, was $4,039. Other towns in Goshen County and the amount remitted by the state to the city treasurer included: Fort Laramie, $137; LaGrange, $103; Lingle, $25, and; Yoder, $49.
25 Years Ago
June 23, 1993
Program offers archeological insight
Peeling away layers of dirt with a small metal trowel, brushes and patience is not what most kids would consider a fun way to spend the summer. Extreme weather changes, bugs and long hours are included in this job, but then again, so is a spring-fed swimming hole, good friends, teachers and about 11,000 years of natural history waiting to be discovered.
Students on the Fisher Archeological Site northeast of Guernsey are getting a summer experience they’ll probably never forget.
“Our primary focus of the program is for them to get a taste of (archeology),” said Geri McIver, assistant director of the program.
Justin Beach, 16, of Yoder, is one of the students participating in the program. He said the work is pretty fun, but it’s “hard to get used to getting up so early. It is a strict routine, but nothing you wouldn’t do in a real job.”
WATT: Answer to econ. woes
to invest in Wyoming
Former Interior Secretary James Watt believes Wyoming’s present path is grim, but the state could take control of its future by making more low-interest loans available to the people.
Watt, speaking during a Rotary Club luncheon, said it is time state legislators and the people of Wyoming begin to “invest in Wyoming, not in Wall Street.”
Contrary to what legislators are telling the public, Watt believes that economic growth has ground to a halt. Pointing to an article in last Sunday’s Wyoming Eagle, he said there are 8,000 fewer jobs this year than last.
“We’re hurting, but it doesn’t need to continue,” Watt said.
