100 Years Ago Taken from the files of the Wheatland Times August 28, 1918

Patsy Parkin
Posted 8/29/18

100 Years Ago

Taken from the files of the Wheatland Times

August 28, 1918

Compiled by Patsy Parkin

Courtesy of Platte County Historical Society

A destructive fire started from lightning near Owen ten days ago has done great damage to a large section of government forest land covering about 17 miles in circumference. Local residents had hoped to quell the blaze, but because of shifting winds and spreading destruction have called for help from the Wheatland Home Guard and any other available citizens. 80 men are now working in shifts trying to stop the flames.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

100 Years Ago Taken from the files of the Wheatland Times August 28, 1918

Posted

100 Years Ago
Taken from the files of the Wheatland Times
August 28, 1918
Compiled by Patsy Parkin
Courtesy of Platte County Historical Society

A destructive fire started from lightning near Owen ten days ago has done great damage to a large section of government forest land covering about 17 miles in circumference. Local residents had hoped to quell the blaze, but because of shifting winds and spreading destruction have called for help from the Wheatland Home Guard and any other available citizens. 80 men are now working in shifts trying to stop the flames. From a later dispatch: Strong winds have scattered fire brands over much new territory and those fighting the fire with wet sacks, rakes, and shovels are making no headway. It looks like a helpless struggle with only a good rain capable of stopping the inferno.

Young Charles Wightman, 16, is in the county jail charged with stealing a horse from Mr. Tobin’s livery barn and then selling it in Casper.
Wm. Hughes and family of Glendo suffered serious injuries when their car ran off an embankment about 20 fee high, turned completely over, and pinned the passengers underneath. The little daughter was able to run to the farm of P.J. Hall for help.
Community fairs are being planned for Chugwater and Dwyer.
Provost Marshal Crowder is insisting that bartenders should be high on the list of those to be drafted and inducted into service. “By all means let bartenders apply themselves to useful tasks that will contribute toward making the U.S. war program effective.  
School District No. 14 is advertising for bids to haul school children from the Chicago Mine to  the Sunrise School.
The Dante Allighieri Society of Hartville, composed of the town’s most prominent Italian citizens, held their annual picnic with all donations going to the Red Cross.
“The C&W railroad men at Sunrise are starting to wear glasses on account of the strain caused by looking so hard for their back pay.”
Editor Drury of the “Wheatland Times” credits townspeople for coming out 100 percent American and 100 percent dry by backing all the dry candidates on the election ticket. While the anti-Prohibitionists statewide were able to swing the nomination of Governor Houx, Platte County—at least the county seat of Wheatland—firmly backed Wm. B. Ross and the entire ticket of dry advocates.
Windom and Turpen are the owners of the first Fordson tractor in town. It looks like a toy, but they say it does the business.
Ben Schnell who has been in government service in Washington in the ship building business was injured when a chain broke, resulting with him being hospitalized for several weeks. He has returned to Chugwater with an honorable discharge after recovery.
Fred Ryff writes that he was recently transferred from a training camp at Ft. Riley, Kansas, to Fort Sheridan, Alabama. He had thought it was hot in Kansas, but since being in Alabama has acquired an entirely different idea of what hot weather really is.
Mrs. C.A. Palmer and infant daughter were released from the hospital. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Reynolds, but is quite weak and ill. Mrs. Thos. Rozema and baby boy have left the hospital and returned to their home in Slater.  Mrs. Geo. Bush and little boy, who has been very ill with cholera infantrum, have been released to return home.