Newcastle’s post office: Part IV

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
With Leonard Cash
 
In this week’s installment of “History on Main,” historian Leonard Cash continues walking us through the history of Newcastle’s post office. 
According to a News Letter Journal article from March 11, 1948, the post office was scheduled for repairs, as well as redecorations on the interior and exterior. Contractors had until March 24, 1948, to submit their bids. 
On July 1, 1948, longtime janitor and fireman-laborer for the post office Mike Koski retired after 18 years of service, so George Bogue came to fill his shoes. 
A few weeks later, Koski received recognition from the fourth assistant postmaster general and the postmaster general, who stated their gratitude for his service in the form of a letter reprinted in the July 15, 1948, edition of the paper. 
“It is a pleasure to wish you happiness and prosperity in the enjoyment of your leisure time which has been so well earned by you in the work you have done,” the assistant general said. The postmaster general likewise echoed his compliments. 
“I congratulate you upon your loyal and efficient service and I cannot forego the opportunity to express my personal wish for your continued happiness and contentment,” he said. 
In Cash’s records from March 29, 1951, Koski’s son, Michael, was nominated for the postmaster position, which he held for quite a while, according to Cash. 
“President Truman has sent the Senate the nomination of Michael J. Koski to the postmaster at Newcastle,” the article says, and a later article stated that Koski completed the civil service examination and was appointed postmaster on April 6.
On June 7, 1951, he officially took over at the age of 34, succeeding former Postmaster W.R. Robinson, who filled in after Hugh Graham retired. Koski had an impressive résumé: He was in the Machine Gun Troop, he was inducted into federal service with the Wyoming National Guard’s 115th Cavalry in Fort Lewis, Washington (he was in the Guard from 1934 to 1951), he fought with the Army during World War II and served overseas in the “Asiatic-Pacific theatre with the 41st infantry division.” He was also married and had three young children. 
According to an article from July 12, 1951, a contractor from Denver was awarded the contract to install steps, handrails, an entrance walk, a letter drop and flag pole. The successful bid was $2,200, and the company had 120 days to complete the project. 
Over two years later, Koski was working on getting a postal delivery service in town, according to an article from Feb. 25, 1954. An inspector was expected to arrive soon to set the requirements, including marking the streets at intersections. The markers were already purchased and would be installed soon. 
Residents who wanted to utilize the delivery service needed to put numbers on their houses and own an “approved mail box” with their last name. It was also requested that patrons have an adequate walkway for the postman in order to receive delivery service.
Those living in apartments could either have their mail go to the manager’s office or install individual boxes for each tenant. 
The minimum size of boxes for business firms was 4.5 inches by 14.5 inches and 1.25 inches deep. Door slots had to be 1.5 inches by 7 inches. 
“Postal delivery became a necessity for Newcastle when a figure approximating 7,000 were being served from two general delivery windows
in the post office. Only 625 post office boxes are available to serve the entire area
covered by the post office,” the article says. 
Around Sept. 1, 1955, the post office was in need of updates again. Bids were being accepted for exterior painting and masonry pointing, among other things. 
A year later, the paper reported on May 24, 1956, that more bids were being called for, according to an announcement made in Denver from Otto G. Klein, regional director of the General Services Administration. 
On July 19, 1956, it was reported that Julien Construction Co. of Gillette was awarded a contract for $2,487 “for vestibule changes and miscellaneous work.”
Post office janitor Bogue, retired on Sept. 30, 1960, from his 20 years of custodial service, according to the Oct. 13, 1960, issue. 
Once again, Otto Klein called for bids to paint the interior and exterior of the post office, as reported in the June 1, 1961, News Letter. 
“Bidding material may be obtained from the Regional office GSA or the custodian of the building,” the article says. 
According to Cash’s records from Feb. 8 and 15, 1962, former postmaster Valdemar Jessen died in Colorado. His funeral was held in Grand Junction on Feb. 5.
Jessen was born in Denmark on Jan. 12, 1882, before moving to America at age 18. His postal career started in Newcastle after marrying Edna Brown in 1919. He was transferred to Grand Junction, where he was superintendent of mails at the Grand Junction post office until 1952.
Soon after her husband’s death, Edna Jessen also passed away on July 1, at the Rocky Mountain Orthopedic Hospital, shortly after celebrating her 80th birthday. Jessen was born in Canada and moved to Wyoming in 1907, winding up in Newcastle two years later. 
Her funeral services were presided over by the Rev. Paul Habliston of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Junction.