Gillette histories

From the Jan. 26, 1956 News Record:
A huge oil-based plastic balloon carrying 192 mice was recently sent more than 20 miles up to help scientists determine whether cosmic rays will be harmful to human beings traveling through the upper stratosphere in the world of tomorrow. The test balloon, which rose to a height of 115,000 feet was tracked by airplane and radio-guided truck until its descent 26 hours later. The mice, all alive and comfortable, were sent to university and government laboratories where they are currently being tested for possible reactions. The use of petroleum-derived plastics in test balloons is one of the latest applications of oil products in scientific research.
From the Jan. 19, 1967 News Record:
A high wind hit the Gillette area with the suddenness of a hammer blow about 11 p.m. Sunday and caused an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in property damage. The area just east of Gillette’s city limits seemed to catch the worst blow as they did in the last summer’s twister. The Gulf Oil station suffered damages in excess of $20,000 when the roof of their truck bay was ripped off and the 20-foot high walls of the bay collapsed. The remainder of the station is intact, expect for a few cracks here and there, and business went ahead at their gas pumps and wash room on Monday. About two blocks to the east, a roof was ripped off the trailer house of Mr. and Mrs. Jim LaOrange next to the Mountain Iron and Supply company. The LaOragne family said their trailer cooled off suddenly and they were quickly invited next door to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Dreiling. The roof they lost was on an addition, while the roof of the main part of the trailer house stayed intact. The first blast of the wind brought along pelting rain, that soon changed to sleet as colder temperatures moved in. The weather had been warm and snow was melting on Gillette streets until the wind hit. Damage to a sky light was reported at the Pioneer Manor. A northeast door was said to have been blown open and apparently the resulting pressure lifted the sky light about 12 inches before suddenly dropping it down. Temporary repairs have been done, but one of the broken seams is still about 6 inches from joining, it was reported.