Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Aug 6?, 2003
extracts by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1903
We are asked to call attention to the fact that there is an ordinance against turning stock out on the streets. Already the old family cow has ruined several trees in various parts and has turned the hearts of some in the direction of righteous indig-nation. Personally, we have no trees for the cows to ruin, but others have and they want the ordinance enforced. We suppose, however, that people who own cows will get mad unless they can turn them out to inconvenience their neighbors. It’s a caution how we are all inclined to see everything from our own views and leave the other fellow out. Blessed and happy is the man who can treat as he would be treated.
A batch of begging Gypsies stopped just northeast of town Monday evening claiming to be on their way from St. Louis to Deadwood. If they ever use water, it must be on the inside. Dr. Dwyer performed an operation Tuesday on a girl that belongs with the Gypsy camp, for abscess of the kidney and the last we heard, the patient was doing well. They tried to keep from paying him for his services but Atty. O’Rourk succeeded in persuading them to do the right thing without any legal proceed-ings.
An English court has decided that South Dakota divorce don’t go there, and such proceedings were referred to as “a fraud on civilized jurisprudence.”
Bert Bayliff has made a deal for the Sasenbery Restaurant and will take possession about September 1st. We wish Bert success in the new undertaking.
A new baby boy arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Borders Thursday morning. [Aug. 6].?
Three unknown men attempted to hold up Joseph Schneider, a farmer living five miles north of Fremont, at his home. They not only failed to accomplish their intent, but were driven off the premises by Mr. Schneider at the mouth of a shotgun.
We want to call attention to the swellest line of shoes in town. Our boys’ shoes can’t be beat. Call and see them. WOODRUFF & BECKWITH.
Best rotary washer, $6.60; best new farm wagon, $50; also wagons, $2 and up at Barten’s New Store north of bridge.
There is a man in Sydney who has an eye to business. He is both the coal man and the ice man, which places him in position for a pull in all kinds of weather.
Documents are reported to have been discovered in the pope’s apartments since his death which prove his private fortune amounted to $17 million dollars.
At Pottsville, Pa., Carrie Nation scored President Roose-velt for bringing to Kansas last May his “saloon on wheels.” She said that had she not been laid up, she would have smashed it to flinders.
For the manufacturing year 1901-1902 our factories produced about 186,000 tons of beet sugar. As recently as 1888, the year’s manufacture was less than 1,000 tons.
News from Merriman says that E.B. Quible, R.S. Hunt, Henry Grouche, George French and another not known, returned from a fishing trip in the south hills last Friday. Their catch was about 500 pounds. We had the pleasure of eating some of them.
Born to J.W. Waddel on July 29, a fine baby girl. Mother and Babe both doing well.
Roy Beckwith visited with Frank Bresee of Irwin last Sunday. Frank’s child, after a long and severe illness, is slowly recovering.
Sam Seveland’s knee, which was accidentally run over by a wagon about two months ago, has been giving him a good deal of trouble of late. He was obliged to quit work a few days.
Master Merle Case is the proud possessor of a suit of “schapps,” a gift from his uncle, Silas Allen of Denver, Colo.; also a saddle from his uncle Forrest Allen.
75 Years Ago - 1928
The work of laying the bitulithic asphalt on Second Street has been completed and the street opened to traffic. Gravel has been laid from the end of the pavement to the highway and traffic now has a fine, smooth road over which to travel. Work is being rushed on other streets and the job should soon be finished.
Milbourne Mills and Arthur Brown went to the Snake river fishing this week. They caught several large trout, the biggest measuring 21 inches long.
Mr. and Mrs. Kal Albrechtsen are the parents of a son born to them this week. Mrs. Albrechtsen is at the home of her parents near Fremont. According to reports, the young man has been named Kal, Jr. (We wonder if he is as good a bugler as his dad was?)
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred McCollister are the parents of a baby boy born August 7th.
Miss Ann Kime was kicked in the head by a horse Monday. The accident occurred at her home near Lund. It cut quite a gash, but so far no serious effects have resulted.
Gordon radio dealers are planning on an early selling season this year on account of the many political speeches that will be on the air. As a boy, we remember the old torch-light parades when we kids sang at the top of our voices, “McKinley rides a white horse, Bryan rides a mule,” etc. Now we sit at home and listen to a radio. I believe we got more fun out of the old-time campaigns.
Edwin Decker had the misfortune of stepping on a rusty nail last week, causing a rather severe injury.
Mr. Leonard Colgan drove down to Gordon from Edgemont, S.D. last Friday, returning home the same day. He made the trip down in three hours and three minutes. “Chucky” Colgan, who had been visiting with his grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Beckwith, returned home with him.
One of the most unique factories in Nebraska, and the only one of its kind in this country, so far as known, is located in Columbus. Its output is wooden soled shoes. They are used by mine mockers, cement workers and others working in slush and wet. The factory ships its product to practically every civilized country.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Webster moved into their new home on Wednesday. The new residence is modern in all respects, hard-wood finish and all the conven-iences that go to make up a home in which to take a well earned rest. We are glad to see Jim and his good wife so nicely situated.
I.A. Robison, who left Gordon this spring for his old home in Pennsylvania, returned this week for a visit. He is en route to California where he will work until next spring when he will again take up farming operations on the reservation. Once an easterner gets a taste of Sheridan County, he usually comes back for more.
The confection known as “Eskimo Pie” was invented by an Omaha man, who received a royalty on its manufacture.
The Golden Rule Store is holding Dollar Days Friday and Saturday. Look for their huge ad in this issue. The following are only a few of the type of sales available: Ladies’ Set-in Sleeve dresses $1; Turkish towels, 20x40 in size, 5 for $1; Tablecloths, $1; Men’s dress shirt AND tie, both for $1; Suitcases, regular size, $1; Oil Cloth, 3 yards for $1; Rag rugs, assorted sizes, $1 each; and dozens more specials.
BLINDFOLDED DRIVER TO PILOT AUTOMOBILE.
Dr. G.W. Bryant, the man who is to drive a Whippet car through the streets of Gordon at 4:30 Monday, is a puzzling personality. Educated in medicine and surgery, practicing in this country and Europe, he has of late years seemingly gone against all scientific facts of his profession and has been baffling people all over the east with his uncanny driving of automobiles while blindfolded, being so thoroughly blindfolded that not even a ray of light can penetrate through to, in any way, aid his vision. The Whippet car which Dr. Bryant will drive is obtained from Mr. W.G. Moss, of the Gordon Overland company. As passengers in the Whippet there will be the Chief of Police John Baker, Postmaster Allen Strong and any other person who is skeptical of the ability of the Doctor to pilot the car while he is in perfect darkness. The car will start from the Empress Theatre at 4:30 sharp on Friday afternoon.
50 Years Ago - 1953
A tragedy at White Clay lake Sunday noon snuffed out the life of Wayne “Buster” Divan, 21. Divan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Divan Sr., of north of Gordon, was riding on a surf board drawn by a motor boat piloted by Pat Strasburger. It is believed that the youth struck his head when he fell from the board. Strasburger immediately circled back to the spot and dived into the lake in the futile attempt to rescue his friend. Other members of the party, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Piper, John Andersen and Vesta DeWolfe were watching from the bank. The Rushville, Gordon and Hay Springs fire departments were summoned about 12:15 p.m. to aid in recovering the body. A fleet of motor boats equipped with grappling hooks dragged the lake repeatedly but were unsuccessful. The body was recovered about 6:30 p.m. when the state seine was brought from Valentine and put into service. Wayne was discharged from the Navy in May after serving two years, five months and 23 days. He arrived home in June. Funeral services will be conducted from Our Savior’s Lutheran church at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Miss Barbara Nance of Craw-ford became the bride of Robert D. Ross in a ceremony performed Saturday, July 25 in the chapel of Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. Chaplain Severston read the lines of the marriage service. Attending the couple were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tuitty. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Nance of Crawford. Mr. Ross’ parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Y. Ross of Gordon. After a honeymoon trip to Hilo on the island of Hawaii, Mr. and Mrs. Ross will be at home at Apartment B, 438 Kuamao, Honolulu, T.H.
Oscar Michaelson suffered a painful accident several days ago. The tractor on which he was working while making hay started to tip over. He jumped clear of it but cracked the bones of his leg above the ankle and badly bruised his leg. He is improving now.
Ello Dee Cerny has been visiting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cerny, this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Holsinger escaped with bruises when their car and new trailer house were badly damaged in a wreck which occurred about 4 p.m. Tuesday just west of Columbus. The Holsingers were en route to Memphis, Tenn., where Glen will be stationed for the next 18 months. They left Gordon Tuesday morning. Mrs. Holsinger, in a telephone conversation with her mother, Mrs. George Glover, said the accident happened on a straight stretch of highway. She was driving and feeling the trailer house begin to sway, spoke of it to her husband, but fainted before she could follow his instruction to bring the car to a halt. The two vehicles rolled over, resulting in extensive damage to both.
Karmy Marshall, of Merriman, celebrated her 10th birthday Wednesday evening. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. James Marshall and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Simons and John Marshall. Cake and ice cream were served and later the Marshalls attended the drive-in at Gordon.
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kruger and Mrs. O.E. Van Horn (local president of the American Legion Auxiliary) returned Tuesday from Omaha were they attended the 23rd annual state convention of the American Legion and American Legion auxiliary. Heading the parade were towns of the first district who received the privilege of leading the parade, through per-centage of members. Gordon is a member of this district and was well represented in the parade by members of the local post’s firing squad composed of Virgil Hodgson, commander of Fred L. Sturdevant Post No. 34 of Gordon; Walt Birkby, Dick Malone, Floyd Dickey, Lloyd Swick, Gene Harris and Sam Steinmark.
Saturday afternoon a bad looking cloud came up and seemed to hover over toward the Mission ranch. It is reported a cloud burst hit there. They got over five inches of rain. We were down to the creek Sunday viewing the results of the flood. The water came up three different times Saturday night, taking out some fences and bridges. It has been quite some time since they have had that much trouble.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Eichenberger came home Sunday morning from Albuquerque, N.M., where he is stationed, for a 10-day furlough. They drove all night. Their car stalled on the newly graded road so Mr. and Mrs. Millie Cerny took them home before going to church. They were so happy to see home and the fields of growing crops round here. Albert is an MP in New Mexico.
Mr. and Mrs. Joy Fairhead are the parents of a daughter, Sarah Lee, born Aug. 4, 1953.
25 Years Ago - 1978
Randall Phillips, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Phillips of Gordon, has been named to the Anderson (Indiana) College dean’s list with a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the semester. Phillips, who completed his junior year in June, intends to enter the field of counseling following his gradu-ation. On campus he is active in the Boosters club.
The U.S. Air Force has promoted Jack D. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Wilson of 617 Oak Street in Gordon, to the rank of major. Major Wilson is serving at Carswell AFB, Texas, as an assistant chief of supply. The major, a 1960 graduate of Gordon high school, received his B.S. degree at Lincoln, where he was commissioned through the air force reserve officer training corps program. He also received his M.P.A. degree in 1976 from Texas Christian university at Fort Worth.
Mr. and Mrs. Buster Berry of Gordon, announce the engagement of their daughter, Deb, to Kip Krull, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Krull of Harrold, S.D. Miss Berry is a 1977 graduate of Black Hills state college and is presently employed by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce. Her fiancé is a field manager for Vigortone Products. A September wedding is being planned.
The daughters of Leo Cotant will host an open house in honor of his birthday on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Gordon Villa.
The week of Aug. 7 will be a gala one for Kimberly Jo Prusia of Gordon, the 1978 Miss Nebraska National Teen-Ager. Kim is among 51 finalists who will be competing for the title of Miss National Teen-Ager in Atlanta on Aug. 12.
Bob McComber, Rushville and formerly of Gordon, died Monday, Aug. 7 as the result of a shooting accident. McComber had propped the gun up on the trunk of the car and when he opened the trunk, it bumped the gun, causing it to discharge. He was shot in the lower chest and killed instantly.
Special entertainment will be on hand for the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo parade to be held in Gordon on Saturday, Aug. 19 when Cimarron, an appaloosa horse, will be skating down Gordon’s Main Street during the parade, and his rider, a monkey, will be doing tricks on the horse’s back.
Miss Kayleen Coon, daughter of William J. Coon of Gordon and Jo Ann Coon of Portland, Ore., was united in marriage to Alex Eid of Rockford, Ill. Following a honeymoon in Acapulco, the couple is at home in Rockford where Mr. Eid is vice-president of Kane, Intnl.
Mr. and Mrs. Hal Weakly, Gordon, announce the engage-ment of their daughter, Dessie to Richard Boettcher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Boettcher of Spencer. A small family wedding is being planned.
The West Lisbon Lutheran church of Lisbon, Ill, was the place of the wedding ceremony of Miss Lynette Joy Knutson of Morris, Ill. and Jules Edward Ostrander of Rushville. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Knutson of Morris, Ill. and Mr. and Mrs. Orville L. Ostrander of rural Rushville. After a wedding trip to Yellowstone park, the couple are at home at 1785 Queensbury Circle, Hoffman Estates, Ill. The groom is self-employed at J-O Auto Service and the bride will continue nursing. She is an RN.
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Keller are the parents of a son, Aric Guy, born Aug. 4 and weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces. Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Ray Keller, and maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. John Radcliff, all of Gordon. Maude Keller, Gordon, is the paternal great-grandmother, and Mr. and Mrs. Preston Jensen, Gordon, are the maternal great-grandparents.
The Spirit of Gordon defeated Sunbell of Pine Ridge 9 to 8 on Thursday evening to win the Rushville men’s slow pitch league championship. Team members include Gene Robinett, Ron Watkins, Bud Stowe, Rick Cantril, Monte Morrison, Tony Taylor, Kevin Swick, Jim Connealy, Jeff Alexander, Fred Fiola, Terry Waite, Charlie Buckingham, Roger Bowman, Jim Smith and Larry Turnbull. The Spirit now will participate in the Rushville tournament, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 9, and runs through Sunday.
At this year’s stocker-feeder show the grand champion calf was a Hereford steer shown by Teri Herman. A crossbreed steer, shown by Jana Powles was picked as the reserve champion. Champion Angus was a steer shown by Tammy Obermiller and reserve champion was a heifer shown by Cindy Powles. In showmanship, Shelley Herman was the top senior showman; Joni Herman was the winner in the intermedi-ate class and Teri Herman was the winner in the junior class.
The Gordon fire department was called Monday afternoon to the Martha Petersen place south of Gordon to put out a fire that destroyed a building housing a water storage tank. The tank has not been in use for several years since the windmill which pumped the water had been taken down. It is believed that the fire started from an old range that was used in the morning to singe chickens that Mrs. Petersen was butchering. Prompt action by the firemen prevented the fire from spreading and possibly causing major damage to the house nearby.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Miller of Gordon, are the parents of a son born Aug. 4, 1978.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill McBeth, of Gordon, are the parents of a daughter born Aug. 6, 1978.
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submitted by Helen Selee
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