Rabbit drives like this were common on the plains during the ’20s and ’30s. The jackrabbits in the local area numbered tens or hundreds of thousands and were ruining crops and fields. The pests were especially problematic during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, when crops were already scarce due to the drought and dust storms and farmers were struggling to provide food for their families and their livestock. The drives became something of a sport and provided entertainment during hard times. A bounty of a few cents per rabbit was often offered, earning the residents a little extra money (or at least covering the cost of ammunition if it was used) and ridding farms of thousands of the pests at the same time. The rabbits were then sold for a few cents for their fur and meat. A few coyotes were sometimes killed on the hunts and were then often sold for a couple dollars each to help pay the cost of the lunch. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
Aug. 28, 2014
ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge has swept the nation, and Holyoke is no exception. Millions have accepted the challenge to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The challenge has gone viral as videos of each person or group are posted to social networking sites and then friends and family are tagged and dared to accept the challenge themselves.
Jeff Tharp was appointed by Holyoke School District Re-1J board president Kris Camblin to fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Kim Killin.
Jim and Bob Devereaux made a pit stop in Holyoke on Aug. 21 during their “Ride Around the Rockies” motorcycle trip that focused on seeing the gorgeous prairies and wild historical sites around the border of Colorado.
Ten Years Ago
Aug. 27, 2009
Jean Clayton of Holyoke fulfilled a longtime dream of attending Antique Roadshow at the July 25 taping of the PBS television show in Denver.
After a February 2002 diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, 1978 HHS graduate Rod Ellis began the tedious search for a kidney donor in November 2008. A former classmate, Clay Warren, contacted Ellis about giving him one of his kidneys, and the two are now ready and waiting for their Sept. 3 surgeries.
Joe Ruiz has opened a new car detailing business, Classic Details.
Barb Holtzman of Holyoke has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2009 American Quilter’s Society Quilt Expo, Oct. 28-31 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Sept. 1, 1994
Mike Peitzmeier delivered his first message as minister of the Holyoke Church of Christ on Aug. 21, after living in Holyoke for two days.
Over 20 sewing, decorating and marketing workshops will highlight the 1994 Tri-State Extension Expo to be held Sept. 24 at Holyoke High School. The Scirbaf Affair also will feature T.J. Reid, a former fashion and gift retailer with over 30 years of experience in merchandising.
Phillips County was awarded a $225,000 Energy Impact Assistance grant to use toward its landfill incinerator project.
Fifty Years Ago
Aug. 28, 1969
A new addition to the school district this year is the administration building, erected last spring and this summer by the vocational carpentry class. The building houses the office of the superintendent of Re-1J schools, secretary’s office, conference room for the board of education and supply rooms and has garage space for the driver education car and the school van.
New Phillips County deputy sheriff is Mrs. Calvin Thornton, formerly Mary Ann Fender.
A new Skogmos store is coming to Holyoke. Skogmos is the softline division of Gambles company. The new store will handle nearly all clothing items to fit the needs of the local trade area. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce Wernet are owners of the new store.
Mrs. Goldyn Warren, Sterling, formerly welfare director for Phillip County, was the oldest person ever to receive a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State College at Greeley, according to school officials. She was among 20 persons from the Sterling area who received degrees at summer commencement last Thursday. Mrs. Warren is 75 years old. She is completing a college education that started on the Colorado State College campus in 1926.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Aug. 31, 1944
A group of local unmarried girls are forming a social club which as yet has not been named. Their first meeting took place Monday night when nine girls were present. They plan to meet every two weeks on Monday night.
High school enrollment has dropped a million since 1940. This summer, millions of high school boys and girls are taking summer jobs. With money in their pockets, how many will resume schoolwork when the fall term opens? To get boys and girls to want to return to school this fall, the U.S. Office of Education and the Children’s Bureau, with the cooperation of the Office of War Information, are urging parents, school officials and local citizens to join in conducting Go-to-School drives the nation over.
Phillips County’s third and possibly the best wartime county fair will open here Monday, when entries will be received and exhibits put in place for a full program and many attractions Tuesday and Wednesday.