Natrona County Tribune, 1909

Freedom foiled -- "TRIED TO BREAK JAIL ...

"Last Wednesday night, an exciting event occurred at the jail, when Archie Kelsey made a furious attack on Jailer Cook, as the latter was locking the prisoners in their cells for the night. Kelsey, who was last week sentenced to an eighteen month's term in the penitentiary on a grand larceny charge, cunningly planned to outwit the intentions of the law and make his escape. ... At about 8:30 the jailer proceeded to lock the cells. ... Kelsey's cell was apparently occupied as the berth was down. ... However, he had planned a deception, and ... had hidden behind a curtain at the end of the corridor, where he would be within easy reach of the jailer. ... Kelsey suddenly stepped from behind the curtain and delivered a blow on the jailer's head, which staggered him for a moment, but before Kelsey could continue, Mr. Cook seized him by the throat. ... Mr. Cook told Kelsey that it would be useless for him to continue the struggle, as he could not get out. In the meantime, Mrs. Cook had telephoned for help. ... Kelsey was taken in hand and placed where he could not do further damage. Sheriff Sheffner was soon on the scene and quietness was restored in the prison. ...

"Kelsey will have considerable time to meditate upon his conduct, as the following day he was re-sentenced and two years added to his term, which will be a forceful reminder of his exploit Wednesday night."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1934

Segregated showfolk -- "Colored Stage Show Will Be Presented at America

"E. J. Schulte announces the booking of 'Darktown Scandals,' all-colored musical revue, at the America. ...

"The show was specially picked to carry on the policy worthy of the new stage at the America. It comes most highly recommended and is the season's largest colored road show, there being 50 people in the cast. ...

"'Darktown Scandals' features Ida Cox, the queen of all colored blues singers. There is a snappy chorus of 12 high-brown Harlem cuties and their gorgeous costumes give them a most attractive appearance.

"The Dixiana troubador sextet has proved to be one of the outstanding features of the show. The two male dancers, Boogie and Woogie, always take the house by storm. Sam Robinson, as Steamboat Bill and Parson Jones, is downright comical(.) Francis Hereford, the prima donna, will be thoroughly enjoyed in 'I'm Lookin' for an Angel.'

"Ned Stanfield, who gave up a career of medicine, has well earned his fame as 'the king of the ivories.'

"The music and rhythm that carries the show along is furnished by Charles Caruso and his Cotton Pickers, famous Victor recording orchestra.

"'Darktown Scandals' is a big jamboree of songs, music, dance and specialties and promises an hour packed full of real enjoyment for everyone."

Hard tack -- "PETRIFIED LOAF OF BREAD DISCOVERED

"FORT LARAMIE -- Bill Williams, of Oshkosh, discovered a petrified loaf of bread while souvenir hunting on the Old Oregon Trail near here, he said. He thought at first it was an ordinary brown rock, but authorities ... told him it was a loaf of bread made from some coarse meal, in a primitive vessel, many years ago."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1959

Honorable -- "First 50-Star Flag to Be Presented Here ...

"(T)he first new 50-star United States Flag to be displayed in Casper will be in the courtroom of justice of peace, Alice K. Burridge, on Tuesday [Oct. 27] when officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Junior Girls' Unit will present Mrs. Burridge with a beautiful large Glory Gloss flag. ...

"The Junior Girls' Unit had decided on presenting a flag for this courtroom as their Americanism project over a year ago, ... but due to the fact that Alaska became a state at about that time and it seemed very probable that Hawaii would soon become a state also, purchase of the flag was delayed pending outcome of national events."

Visibility -- "Airport Approach Lighting System Nears Completion

"Within two weeks, installation of a new $125,000 approach lighting system as a safety aid to aerial navigation will be completed at Natrona County Airport. ...

"By visible checks with the lights, a pilot entering the area on instruments by way of a broadcast beam signal can determine his alignment with the runway, altitude from the ground and distance from the touch-down point on the end of the runway."

Casper Star-Tribune, 1984

Shakin' it -- "Earthquake rolls through Wyoming, 5 other states ...

"The strongest earthquake ever recorded in Wyoming outside the Yellowstone area rumbled through the state Thursday morning [Oct. 18], damaging buildings in several communities but causing no injuries. ...

"(T)he quake measured 5.5 on the Richter scale. It was centered about 40 miles southeast of Casper and was felt in Montana, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota and Nebraska. ... The quake hit at 9:30 a.m. A magnitude 4 aftershock was recorded 27 minutes later. ...

"In Casper, civil defense officials received numerous reports of cracked walls, ceilings and foundations. ... Leaking gas lines were also reported. ...

"(T)he quake was the strongest in Wyoming except for magnitude 5.9 and 6.5 quakes in Yellowstone National Park."

"A Look Back in Time" is made possible with the help of Western History Archivist Kevin S. Anderson at the Casper College Western History Center, which is open to the public. Quotation marks surround stories as they appeared in the Casper newspapers 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago, with their original grammar, punctuation and spelling, unless otherwise noted. You can contact Corryne at corrynedrake@gmail.com.