The Lusk Herald, October 22, 1936

Large Sale Pavilion is Being Built

Work began this week on the largest enclosed sales pavilion west of the Missouri  river on the eastern edge of town. The yard and pavilion are being built by James Christian, Hereford breeder and former Senator from Niobrara county. The yards and pastures will accommodate an entire train load of stock.

The abandoned Chicago & Northern Railroad company's round house which has not been used since the division point of this company was moved to Casper in 1925, has been leased by Mr. Christian as well as the land between the roundhouse and the stock yards about one-half mile east and will be used for the pasturing of stock shipped to this point.

This will be one of the few entirely enclosed sales pavilions in the west and its capacity will handle and sale regardless of size. The estimated cost is between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars. No item of convenience   to buyers and breeders is being  neglected.

With the completion of this project, stock raisers within and radius of 100 miles will have access to this market.

Purebred stock will be a major enterprise with Mr. Christian and stock from all the best herds in the United States will be offered to those wishing to improve their herds.

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Lusk Free Lance, March 20, 1947

Lusk Sales Pavilion Purchased by Lusk and Torrington Trio; Active Ownership To Be Assumed Later

The Lusk Sales pavilion, one of the leading livestock markets in the Rocky Mountain region, has been purchased by Dee E. Ray and Ross Roll of this city, and Thos, F. Kennelly of Torrington  being completed today (Thursday) according to the Lusk men. This property and thriving business was bought from Frank and John Christian and Blanche Schaefer who have owned and operated the pavilion for the past two years.

It was announced by Ray that active ownership and management of the pillion would not take place until a later day, although there will be no interruption in the conduct of the business. the deal to buy the pavilion has been in progress for the past two weeks, it was learned.

Ray, who it was understood will be business manager of the concern, is a Wyoming man, born and reared in the Newcastle vicinity, Before coming to this locality in 1935 he was engaged in a hardware business in Cheyenne and also operated a ranch near the capital city.

Coming to Niobrara county in 1935, he leased the "77" ranch north of Manville operating as a cattle grower for one year. He next leased a place near the Lance Creek oil field, again interested in livestock, and aside from this pursuit, engaged in staging rodeos, and in employment as a driller for the Clingman Drilling company in the local oil field,

He continued in these capacities until last fall when he moved with his family to Lusk, where he has since resided. A son, Jack, is a graduated of the Lusk high school, is a truck operator, and with his father will haul cattle for the pavilion's sales, it was revealed.

Roll, too, is a Wyomingite, born in Rawlins. He has made his home here since 1936, graduating from the local high school in 1937. He joined the Army Air Force during the war and served two and a half years. Discharged last May, he returned to Lusk in June, and has since been engaged in construction work here.

He is also head of Ross Supply company, a new building material concern which is expected to start operations within the next 30 or 40 days.

Mr. Kennelly is prominent in business circles in Torrington, where he several years ago started the Tri-County Federal savings and Loan association.

The new owners plan some changes in the management of the business, but announcement of these will not be made until they formally take over, it was said.