100 years ago

March 3, 1910

It is rumored that the post office inspector has found a large shortage in the post office accounts at Riverside amounting to nearly one thousand dollars. The postmistress resigned and another appointed to the vacancy. There is talk of abandoning the post office in the future and having the delivery made by the Downington stage line.

Owing to the continued negligence of the Emerson Electric Light plant in Encampment in supplying the city with light, a new company is to be formed by Denver and Omaha capitalists, who will put in a first-class plant.

J.A. Mauk came in from the ranch of Hopkins Bros. on Sage Creek last Monday, bringing in 22 coyote and two bobcat pelts. He received the bounty of $1.25 each, and will pack the hides for shipment. He expects to realize at least $125.00 from the bunch.

75 years ago

March 7, 1935

A real estate deal has been practically completed whereby Rev. Arthur Campbell, who has for several years been operating the local picture theater in the Legion building (originally the Jensen Opera House), will become the owner of the property.

The property was purchased by the Legion some years ago, and it was planned at the time to use a part of building for a meeting room and for other Legion purposes. This plan failed to work out, as all space was needed for theater purposes. Hence the Legionnaires have decided to dispose of their interests in this property and establish headquarters elsewhere.

50 years ago

Feb. 25, 1960

An open house for Saratoga’s modern water plant has been scheduled for Saturday. Tours will be conducted by Vernie Allen, water superintendent, along with Mayor Lloyd Elliott and Town Council members.

Figures recently released reveal that Saratoga citizens used over 101 million gallons of water last year. Broken down, this means that each person in town, based on a 1,220 population, used about 235 gallons of water per day.

25 years ago

Feb. 26, 1985

Dr. Frank Sanders, research associate with the Wyoming Water Research Center in Laramie, said, “We’re operating from a position of ignorance.” This statement best describes what scientists know about acid rain and how the United States is controlling emissions that contribute to acid rain.

Sanders and others have been taking very low level surveys of precipitation in the area surrounding Big Brooklyn Lake and extending to the top of the Snowy Range ridge, and it appears snow and rain falling on the range are more acidic than precipitation has been in the past. There is no evidence that lakes are acidified, but it begins when industrial factories, power plants, cars, truck and airplanes burn fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline.

But before conclusions can be made about how acid rain is impacting lakes in the Snowy Range, there must be more study; but before studies begin funding must be found. Since the bulk of the areas susceptible to acid rain are on federal land, the bulk of the responsibility falls on the government’s shoulders.