On Feb. 25, 1915, a lone bandit walked into the Farmers State Bank in Haxtun where he shot and killed the cashier, John Brunke. He closed the curtains to make it appear as though the bank were closed and proceeded to deposit all of the funds, some $5,000, in a grain sack, then walked to the livery barn, mounted his horse and rode west from town. The dastardly deed was discovered a short time later and a posse was organized which gave chase, and the bandit was captured 1 1/2 miles west of Haxtun. The bandit fired 14 shots at the posse, but fortunately none of them took effect. The robber was identified as William Thompson, who had been working as a cornhusker in that locality for the past year. He later turned in his accomplice, Charles “Harry” Rose, who worked at the livery stable. Nearly all of the bank funds were recovered, scattered over the field where Thompson was captured. Bert Edwards, Bill Decker and Ira Roth are shown taking Thompson, pictured second from left, into custody after he had been hit over the head with a rifle barrel. — source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
May 28, 2015
Financial constraints for the past 10 years have resulted in a decade-old salary schedule for certified staff in Holyoke School District Re-1J. But that is going to change with the 2015-16 school year as a result of the school board approval of a new schedule at its May 19 meeting. The new base pay will see an increase of $2,500 to $33,500 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and one to three years of experience.
Nicole Brandt, a 2010 Holyoke High School graduate, recently returned home to Holyoke after four months of volunteer work and adventuring through the landscapes of the Bible in Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
Holyoke City Council discussed hiring a code enforcement officer at the May 19 meeting after an interested individual recently approached Police Chief Doug Bergstrom about the position.
Ten Years Ago
May 27, 2010
Four individual gold medals plus a gold-medal relay effort that set a new 2A state record capped a terrific track season for the Holyoke Dragons last weekend at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
HHS senior Marissa Smith claimed four gold medals in the Colorado State 2A Track Championships. She won the 100, 200 and 400 meter races and anchored the 4 x 200 meter relay.
HHS senior Kyle Carper repeated as the 2A state triple jump champion last weekend at the state meet at Jeffco Stadium.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
June 1, 1995
Melissa Memorial Hospital has selected its first participants and alternates for the hospital’s new summer internship program during which high school students will gain practical experience while exploring medical careers. Rena Kingman and Rhiannon Mese of Holyoke and Lynsey Engelker of Julesburg will be rotating through various clinical departments of the hospital, beginning June 5.
Dr. Myrlen Chesnut of Holyoke has announced that he has obtained the services of a physician assistant, who will help in his local practice every Monday. Ray Baldwin, PA-C, will begin working with Dr. Chesnut’s practice at 520 S. Interocean on June 5 in an effort to relieve the doctor’s load and the clinic congestion.
The National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation and Baldwin Chevrolet-Buick have donated a Resusci Anne training doll to Melissa Memorial Hospital to be used for CPR training of hospital staff and the community.
Fifty Years Ago
May 28, 1970
On May 21, a committee composed of people representing various community groups and interests met in Holyoke to discuss the wisdom and feasibility of operating a preschool program for migrant children. The board of directors for School District Re-1J approved participation in such a program if the committee thought it advisable. Necessary details and agreements must be worked out with the Colorado Migrant Council.
Kindergarten and first, second and third grade students of Holyoke Elementary School took a field trip to the J.O. Cunningham ranch southeast of Haxtun on May 25. The Cunninghams gave the children a tour of the ranch, showing them the Japanese deer, fallow deer, llamas, buffalo, peacocks, quail, pheasants, chuckers, wild turkeys, baby pigs and all types of horses that roam the Cunningham ranch, along with their antique buggies, carts, antlers, harnesses and other items they have collected through the years.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
May 31, 1945
Events for the dedication day program at the Holyoke airport have been planned and the air races and other attractions announced. Beginning at 10 a.m. June 13 and continuing into the afternoon, a series of races and other contests will entertain crowds and demonstrate the air strips.
Agricultural colleges are holding their feeders days this spring by radio. In the past, farmers have attended the annual events on the campuses of the colleges. Annual 4-H Club roundups will likewise be handled by radio this year. Restrictions on conventions are consistent with the curtailment of travel. The car, gas and tires all need to be conserved.
To keep us from planning too strongly toward getting back to a semblance of normalcy, we are informed that it will be two years before passenger tires will be available to citizens and that cars will be rationed into the post-war period. Some foods and certain types of clothing will be a long time in coming back to prewar quantities.