Natrona County Tribune, 1909

Casper booster -- A.J. Mokler's publication, the Natrona County Tribune, editorialized: "THERE is no greater indication of a city's substantial progress than that found in the number and kind of buildings under construction, the replacement of old sidewalks and the building of new ones, street improvement and the interest taken in the construction of new or the repairing of roads and bridges adjacent to the city. All these things mark Casper as a city enjoying prosperity now and building for a substantial future. Store buildings of the most modern type are being erected in the business section, residences are being planned and are under way that compare with those of metropolitan cities, cement sidewalks are being laid everywhere, our streets are being graded and improved in many ways and roads that lead to surrounding neighborhoods are receiving much attention, and the commissioners contemplate further improvements that will make the highways of Natrona county second to none in the west."

Moral mayoralty -- Another editorial remarked: "THE municipal campaign at Sheridan waxes hot. Ministers have demanded that each candidate for mayor state squarely his ideas concerning the conduct of saloons and the redlight district. The churchmen have prepared a list of questions which the candidates are requested to answer ... and on the manner in which they answer, depends much."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1934

Mrs. Governor -- "Social Adjustments Have Lagged Behind Strides of Science, Mrs. Ross Says

"Failure to make social adjustments along with the unprecedented advances made in the various fields of science, were cited by former Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross, director of the United States mint, as a great contributing factor to the dilemma in which the American people have found themselves. ...

"Mrs. Ross ... remarked on the interest which women are manifesting in things of government, an innovation of recent years , and commented on the fact that of all the progress made in numerous scientific realms, none has been more miraculous than the progress which women have made in the world of affairs. ...

"She also pointed out that there must be a new social and economic life come about in the wake of the machine age which has brought such a change by reason of the labor-saving devices of the present day, and the resultant throwing of millions out of work.

"The speaker made strong appeal to her listeners to do their part in helping to bring about a better world where both men and women will be given a chance to earn his and her bread, but, she warned, 'we are not going to get it unless we try for it--don't imagine that we can sit still and let things drift.' She also warned the women against sitting at home and failing to register, and then sitting at home and failing to vote."

Casper Tribune-Herald, 1959

Delicate conditions -- "High School Restates Its Policy on Married Students

"... (T)he administration of NCHS [Natrona County High School] is opposed to student marriages on the grounds that most students are not sufficiently mature or financially able to assume the responsibility of matrimony. ...

"Married students shall not participate in student extra class activities which are sponsored by the school, such as athletics, plays, music, clubs, and offices. Nor can they hold student body offices--except those emphasizing vocational guidance. They may be members of, but not hold offices in, Future Professionals, Future Secretaries, NCHS Homemakers, Future Teachers, and Future Farmers. ...

"Pregnant girls shall be asked to withdraw from school at the fifth month, or when their presence becomes disturbing.

"Senior girls who are out of school because of pregnancy, but who have completed the requirements of graduation, shall not participate in commencement exercises."

Law and disorder -- "Pranksters Are Active Here On Halloween

"... At the police station, two cardboard boxes of eggs were confiscated from boys riding around town and tossing them at other motorists and passersby. A big sack of tomatoes and several balloons filled with water were added to the collection. The boys were released when they promised to cease the egg-throwing. ...

"An older man came in and tried to get the desk sergeant to throw another man in jail who he said was running around town with his wife. But the sergeant said it was not a police matter. ...

"Police kept their fingers crossed. The big teen-age rock and roll dance at the Fairgrounds Industrial building was due to evacuate about 2 a.m., and anything could happen when 1,200 boys and girls are turned loose on Halloween night."

Casper Star-Tribune, 1984

Panties in a bunch -- "Anti-porn activists may expand 'decency' effort

"... Anti-pornography activists say they may move from last weekend's picketing of one Casper convenience store to a city-wide campaign to get 'indecent' magazines removed from store shelves. ...

"(A) picket line at the Common Cents store on Second Street ... was held as part of a nationwide picketing of convenience stores organized by the National Federation for Decency. ...

"(U)se of existing laws to stop the sales runs into constitutional protections of free speech and free press and the difficulty of defining material that can be constitutionally banned. ...

"Three years ago, [anti-porn activist Nada] Snyder spearheaded a Casper group that was unsuccessful in obtaining a city ordinance against 'indecent display' of magazines and of movie advertisements. ...

"(L)ast week the local owner of two 7-11 Stores stopped selling the magazines in question and headed off picketing at his stores."

"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.