Gillette histories

From the Aug. 8, 1940 News Record
A mountain lion is believed to be marauding livestock in the community west of Gillette in the vicinity of the Chuck Fitch ranch. According to reports Chuck Fitch found a young colt that had been killed possibly by a mountain lion. Mr. Fitch believes that it must have been a mountain lion because the animal jumped out of a tree on to the back of the colt. After killing the animal the marauder dragged it some distance, another reason for believing it to be a very large beast. Although mountain lions are seldom heard of that far from the mountains, it is a possibility, and whatever kind of animal it was must have been large, it was pointed out, because the colt was badly torn up. If is was a “big cat” further depredation in that vicinity can be expected, it was stated.
From the Aug. 26, 1954 News Record
An escaped convict from the Wyoming state penitentiary at Rawlins was captured in Gillette a little after 1 p.m. Tuesday when Deputy Sheriff Maurice Okray noted a stolen car on main street. Upon taking the driver, who was dressed in overalls, into custody it was found that the man was Arlen Sheriff who had escaped from the state institution on Aug. 20, Sheriff Ted Holdeman stated. The convict formerly of Springfield, Minn., was trying to get out of the state, it was reported and took the wrong road arriving here. He had only 8 cents left in his pocket and was apparently keeping the car running by siphoning gas from cars. Holdeman said the convict related that he got out of Rawlins on a freight and left it at Cheyenne where he made his way Torrington. The convict had escaped from a prison guard in downtown Rawlins while being taken to a dentist. He was serving 18 years for robbery in Washakie County. Police networks in Wyoming and adjoining states had been alerted to watch for the convict.
From the Aug. 23, 1973 News Record
The annual three-day Bighorn Forest Trail Ride, offered as a public service by the Forest Service, has been scheduled for Sept. 1-3 and all interested people may participate. The Forest Service will provide free guide service, horse feed areas, corrals and sanitation facilities, but each participant must to furnish his own horse, gear, camping equipment and food. Horses should be shod and in good condition. Riders will leave the Hunter Creek corrals each morning about 8 a.m. and a different trail will be taken each day. Participants may attend any one or all of the rides. Larry Larson, Buffalo District ranger, said plans call for one ride to go into the Sherd and Crow Lakes area, another into the Rock Creek area, and the third on into the Elk Lake area and around the Solitude Loop. To get to Hunter Creek corrals, take US 16 west from Buffalo for about 12 miles to the Hunter Ranger turn-off and then travel this road for approximately three miles. Further information may be obtained from the Forest Service in Buffalo.