Jim Gandy owned the land upon which the town of Gandy was built in 1885. He told the settlers that he would give the land if they would name the town for him. The first bank was established in October, 1886, and financed by Gandy and Willie Graham. The courthouse was built in 1887. Sherman Lloyd hauled two loads of lumber from North Platte for it and went to Broken Bow with a team of mules to bring back the first vault for the new courthouse. Gandy's first Fourth of July celebration was in 1886 and included a dance in a big tent. The first Decoration program was held in l887 in the first frame building built on Main Street. Sherman Lloyd told Mrs. Fablinger all he could remember of it was the piece spoken by Cora Daugherty "Cover Them Over with beautiful Flowers." The first doctor was Dr. Lee. Dr. McLeay came to Gandy in 1900. Dr. Hubbell did a flourishing business for years. Mr. Douglas was the first druggist followed by Walter McLeay who opened a drug store in the early 1900's and later sold out to his cousin Sid McLeay so he could purchase "The Farmer's Bank" owned by Dan Fowles, which had been started in 1907. August 5, 1912, Adoniran J. Neale and J.H. Stone purchased the drug store from Sid McLeay and called it the Neale Stone Drug Co. There were two livery stables doing business in this thriving town. John Cassell opened his in 1886 while John Armour started operations in 1895. John W. Barbee started repairing the harness for the livery stables and the farmers in 1889; which he continued for 18 years. Gandy wasn't without its Implement and Automobile Business, either, as Buris 0. Callender had charge of it from 1907 until 1911 when he left to take charge of the Idding Lumber Yard. Ora C. Wells also started a garage in March of 1906. The digging of wells was a flourishing business for Charles Cobb when he started in March of 1900 until he moved to Stapleton in 1912. No town would have been complete without its barber shops. William N. Wills ran one in Gandy in 1901 and 02. Frank Stitt also ran one from August, 1911 until 1912 when he too moved to Stapleton. Al Philpot was another of the old time barbers. Mrs. Fablinger was told that at one time a barber shop was operated by John Ingram where their house now stands. She also recalled that on her garden a former hardware store stood. On the corner of their lot was a three room building where Jim Honey (his sister married the druggist Walt McLeay) and Harrington had a hardware store and postoffice. A Lady's Millinery Shop, owned and operated by Mrs. Kring, was situated on the northwest corner of their plot and the building is still standing today. This same building housed the Gandy Post office in later years for a time. We mustn't forget the general stores. W.C. Mansfield and C.A. Buttion opened their store in 1906. Ensign and Hill operated one of the earliest ones until 1907 when they sold out to Charles A. Callender, who in turn sold out to William" McKain and Otis Newkirk in 1910 when it was known as the "Gandy Mercantile Co." Newkirk also operated the telephone lines at that time. The first central office in Gandy was on Main Street and was run by Mrs. Bill Wells. later it was moved to the northeast corner of the street across from the courthouse. " The Logan County Pioneer was the first county paper which was established in 1885. Judge Morrison was the publisher as well as serving as County Judge. Clarinda G, Kirby was next in line as publisher; followed by George Wagoner and his brother in 1911. Mrs. Fablinger stated that Mr. H.A. Honiker loaned people money at 3% interest per month. In somewhat the same line of work, Mr. E.L. Sayre, Jr. opened an office in the Commercial Hotel Building as a Real Estate and Fire Insurance Agent, Notary Public, and Abstractor of Titles in 1912 but didn't tarry long in Gandy. The Commercial Hotel was built by Mr. Sampson. For "recreation" David J. Davison opened a Billiard and Pool Hall in March of 1912 but it soon wended its way to Stapleton, The saloon that was erected in "Gandy was built of bricks of clay that was dug from the W.R Fablinger farm on the southern outskirts of town. This farm was last occupied by Wesley Fowler and now owned by Fay Coty. This same clay was also used to surface the first gravel road between Gandy and Stapleton. There were two early churches in Gandy. The Presbyterian Church stood where the present grade school is. It was moved to Stapleton and used until it burned. The Catholic Church was just south of Edgar Hubbell's present home. A high school teacher, Mr. Winslow. purchased it when it was no longer used for a church and remodeled it into a comfortable home. Gus Hughes bought it from him in 1920. In 1924, when it was occupied by John Hubbell and family, it was burned to the Ground. While attempting to prepare supper, Mrs. Hubbell poured kerosene on what she thought was "dead coals". It exploded, catching the can on fire and soon enveloped the whole house in flames. Very little furniture and no clothing were saved. One more thing that Mrs. Fablinger can vividly remember was the opening of the Loup River in 1910 with 20 oxen. They had a big chain strung through the middle with the oxen two abreast and three drivers cracking their long whips. Even though one ox might fall down, the work never ceased; he was dragged along by the others until he managed to lumber back on his feet. Mrs. Fablinger with a few of the older residents have sadly watched "Gandy"- once booming and prosperous town--slowly fade away. Now all that remains is their postoffice, the Odd Fellows Hall, Methodist Church, and the few homes that have bravely defied the times. They will always have their happy memories, though, that time can never erase.
