From our files: Fire threatens Byron

100 years ago, April 11, 1925 - The Cowley Progress

The week in the United States was marked by two huge financial transactions. In the first the Dodge Brothers Automobile company was sold to a syndicate of bankers headed by Dillon, Read & Co. of New York. The consideration was cash and though the exact sum was not made public it is known to be more than $175,000,000. 

The sellers were the widows of John and Horace Dodge. Sometime ago it was learned they were tired of business cares and wished to sell their property, and at once there began a lively struggle among various interests to obtain it. It is not unlikely that an offering to the public of some new Dodge Brothers company securities will be made soon.

75 years ago, April 13, 1950 - The Lovell Chronicle

A few years ago a farmer was permitted to haul his produce into town and sell “off the wagon” to anyone he pleased. In most places, he is now regulated against by town ordinances put over by storekeepers forcing farmers to take a loss and compelling townspeople to pay a fixed price or go without.

More and more towns over the country are showing up with “Farmers’ Markets” where farmers can bring their produce to a central market to be placed before the buyer.

50 years ago, April 10, 1975 - The Lovell Chronicle

Three former Lovell men were part of a U.S. Navy operation to evacuate refugees from DaNang, South Vietnam. The men are chief petty officers Denver Fleury, Glen S. Olson and Max Burke.

25 years ago, April 13, 2000 - The Lovell Chronicle

Three student renditions of how the development at Constitution Park will look were on display at Town Hall Monday night as the three top choices in a student art contest for the project. Josh Harms, Shawn Wilkerson and Rebecca Paxton were the three artists, and the town will pay each student $100 for their works, which will be displayed at area banks to educate the community about the park project, which includes new playground equipment, a wading pool, basketball court, walking path and more.

10 years ago, April 9, 2015- The Lovell Chronicle

A fire pushed by moderate winds quickly spread through very dense, dry brush and trees along the Shoshone River bed near Byron, threatening everything in its path, including several homes, a high pressure gas line and potentially the town itself on Saturday evening. Fire Chief Jim Minchow estimated that the fire burned close to 300 acres and travelled a mile and a half through the riverbed and across the hills.

Firefighters were able to protect a high-pressure gas line in the area containing H2S, also know as “sour gas,” that was threatened by the blaze. Fire Captain Bob Mangus said the line was of particular concern due to the toxicity of the gas in the line.

A home along the river to the west of town owned by John and Christy Petrich was threatened, but fire fighters were able to save it by dousing it with a continuous spray of water. According to John, the biggest damage appears to be siding that melted from the heat of the fire.