Take a historic glimpse into what made the news and the headlines of the Star Valley Independent 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago.

All content researched and taken from editions of the Star Valley Independent from the corrasponding week so many years ago.

March 13 – March 19

25-years ago:

(continued from last week)

…Allie Hyde was the first Librarian, leading to a succession of fifteen librarians through the years. For several years, the librarians were not paid a wage but were provided with living quarters in the back of the building. “It is interesting to note that 950 library materials were checked out in a month’s time in 1937 [three years later], and according to the Star Valley Independent news article that was a “splendid” circulation, Lydia Dabel [current librarian] adds. “Presently we check out 5,500 items a month on an average. Until ten years ago, the library conducted business with a one-member staff, now we have five employees…. With Afton Mayor Noel Session proclaiming March 23, 1984 as Afton Branch Library Day, we’re hoping everyone will join us in commemorating the efforts of those Star Valley residents fifty years ago,” invites Dabel. There will be free balloons for the kids and 50th anniversary souvenirs for the adults.

50-years ago:

Hawaii Statehood Approved by U.S. Congress–Approval of both houses of Congress was received Wednesday and Thursday of this week when members voted overwhelmingly to make the mid-Pacific vacationland of Hawaii America’s 50th state. The statehood bill sailed thru the Senate Wednesday despite southern opposition after about 4 ½ hours debate. Thursday, the House took similar action. The statehood bill will now go to President Eisenhower, long an advocate of Hawaiian statehood, for his signature to make it law. The islands, comprising a 6,434 square-mile area that makes them slightly larger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combine, have been fighting for statehood for 30 years. Last year, they were a source of $166,330,00 in federal revenue, more than the tax payments of 10 other states, including the newest mineral-rich Alaska.

Ad: Van Gas of Teton Vangas, Inc., on Highway 89 in Afton says, Save $60 on a new universal gas range! Regularly $349.95, Vangas price $289.95, with trade. Plus Free maple finish rocking chair; honey-toned maple finish, back and seat cushions with pleated flounce.

75-years ago:

Books! Books! Books! Can you spare a book, or maybe more than one for the new library? If you can and you think they would interest someone else, just write your name in them and bring them to the library. Let’s see how many good books we can add to our library before its big birthday party!

Get Dogs Licensed. Anyone having dogs that are not licensed must get them at once or the dogs will be killed. Owen Miles, Marshal.

Almanac: March 19-William Jennings Bryan, political leader, born 1860; 20-”Uncle Tom’s Cabin” appears in book form, 1852; 21-New Orleans practically destroyed by fire, 1788; 22-German fire on Paris with 75-mile guns, 1918; 23-Phillippine Aguialado surrenders to Funston, 1901; 24-Indians sell Rhode Island for 80 lbs. of lead, 1638; 25-”Full Dinner Pail” becomes Republican symbol, 1900.

100-years ago:

Grover: The Freedom theatre presented “The Merry Cobbler” Saturday night to quite a large crowd. It was a pretty play and was presented in a creditable manner.

Fairview: The Fairview Dramatic Co. played “Life for Life” at Fairview, Tuesday night, in order to raise means to clear off the indebtedness, incurred by the old folks committee. The company played to a slender house the first night at Freedom, but to crowded houses the last two nights.

Dairy Meeting. On short notice, a meeting was called for last Saturday afternoon at the opera house. In the interest of the dairy business. The principal sneaker Mr. J. B. Racliffe was so well informed on the ins and outs of dairying that a talk such as he could give, was good to the people interested in the business. The talk was interesting from start to finish and was told in a humorous vein, but was replete with good common sense and instructive pointers. He ridiculed the idea that the land was at its limited of production, and offered to guarantee that if the ranchers would follow his advice the land would treble its value in six years. He said that so many people watched their test so closely when the test was hardly worth considering, the main thing being the quantity of milk produced and the size of the check at pay day. Any man would be a scally wag who would doctor the test sheet, and that the creamery man was undoubtedly giving all that the test showed, as more people are honest than dishonest.