125 years ago: Summit County enters into its eighth week without a train arriving

“There are times when patience ceases to be a virtue. One of those times has arrived with the people of Summit County relative to rail transportation,” reported the Summit County Journal in its April 1, 1899, edition. After a February storm closed the rail line over Boreas Pass, the county has not seen a train in eight weeks, and the Colorado & Southern Railway is now estimating it will be another two weeks fore a train makes its way to Breckenridge after the rotary plow broke down about 2 miles short of the top of the pass and returned to Denver for repairs. A sleigh road currently connects the county with the rail line 20 miles away, which has allowed goods and mail to flow in and out of the county, but many mining camps are now dealing with an excess of mined ore with no way to ship it out. Locally many are worried about the local impact on the economy, with no money to be made from piles of unprocessed materials.

— From the April 1, 1899, edition of the Summit County Journal

125 years ago: Red, White & Blue fire chief retires

The annual meeting of the Red, White & Blue fire department was held on March 25 and Frank Williams was elected chief, replacing retiring chief R. C. McKillip, who has held the title for the past four years. KcKillips held the longest term of any chief the department has had to date and leaves behind a splendid record.

— From the April 1, 1899, edition of the Summit County Journal

30 years ago: Breckenridge teenager dies in one-car accident on Dillon Dam road

Cynthia Kroepler, 18, died in a one-car accident on Dillon Dam Road March 25.

Kropler was driving her car east toward Dillon at an estimated 65 mph, 20 mph over the speed limit, in mostly dry conditions. When she attempted to round the corner just past the dam’s glory hole, the car skidded out of control, struck several boulders and went off the road. It came to rest upside down on the hill above the Summit County fairgrounds. Kropler died immediately when was partially ejected from the car and was found pinned beneath the car.

Her 15-year-old sister Kim suffered a broken neck and was listed as being in fair condition at a Denver hospital. Passenger Laura Freese, 18, of Dillon, was the only occupant of the vehicle wearing a seatbelt and suffered an abdominal bruise. Investigators are still determining if alcohol was involved in the accident. In light of the accident, Summit High School officials canceled a Drinking and Driving awareness day that was originally scheduled for March 29.

— From the March 29, 1994, edition of the Summit Daily News

30 years ago: Lack of attendance at Silverthorne forum annoys some candidates

Only four of the six candidates running for Silverthorne board seats attended the Meet the Candidate forum on March 28. Incumbent Jay Brunvand, incumbent Howard Koontz, Chuck Bear and John Whelan fielded questions from audience members, while Dwaine Griffiths and Bob Kieber did not attend.

Kieber cited a work conflict and provided written responses to previously prepared question from the Rotary Club, the event’s sponsors. Griffiths said the forum conflicted with a backcountry ski trip. Some of the candidates expressed disappointment about the absence of the two men and expressed they had hoped to see more residents in attendance — only about 30 people were at the forum, and many of them were town staff members.

— From the March 30, 1994, edition of the Summit Daily News

30 years ago: Former Summit School District business manager wins lawsuit

Six jurors deliberated for over three hours on March 31 and decided to award former Summit School District business manager Bob Bell $23,486 in damages.

After four days of testimony, jurors were charged with deciding if Bell had a “promissory estoppel” contract with Summit School District for the 1992-93 school year, which means he was led to reasonably believe a contract existed, although one was not formally written.

Bell was the business manager for the district from June 30, 1988, until Feb. 19, 1992, when he claims he was wrongfully terminated by the board of education. The board acted upon the recommendation of former Superintendent Margo Barnhart, who incidentally resigned Aug. 15. 1992.

— From the April 1, 1994, edition of the Summit Daily News