75 years ago: Officials announced that the Rio Grande railroad purchased “one of the largest steam derricks in the world.” The crane weighed more than “a third of a million pounds” and was taken to Grand Junction to serve the entire Rio Grande system.

50 years ago: In an attempt to pass a vehicle on narrow roadway, a loaded log truck went off the Lemon Dam road and rolled over onto its side. There were no injuries, though damage was heavy.

25 years ago: Someone reported hearing a woman scream, followed by a gunshot, in Rafter J. Deputies found that a mountain lion scared the woman and caused her to scream, and a gun was fired to scare the animal away.

Most items in this column are taken from The Durango Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.