Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
Aug 18, 2004
columns by Helen Selee

Echoes Page August 18, 2004

100 Years Ago - 1904

Quite a surprise was sprung on the people of this town Thursday morning when the announcement was made that Olia Wilhite and Grace Dunn were quietly married on the evening before at the Wilhite Hotel. Rev. Scamahorn spoke the words that bound this couple together. Neither of these persons need introduction to people of Gordon. Olia has lived here with his parents for the last twenty years. Miss Dunn, now Mrs. Wilhite, was reared in Pierce, this state residing there until twelve years ago when she came to Gordon. The JOURNAL joins with many friends in wishing this couple god speed in their life’s voyage.

About two miles southeast of town while on their way to the Jay Barnett place, Elsie and Lottie Barnett and Jennie Tennant lost control of their team which resulted in girls together with four dozen of eggs, eight po0unds of butter and other articles landing unceremoniously on terra firma. Only the butter and eggs were damaged to any great extent.

E.C. Swigert, our prominent merchant, was married at St. Louis last Saturday to Miss Josie Sage, who was engaged in the schools here for several years. The JOURNAL extends them hearty wishes for future happiness.

Will Wier returned Saturday from Bonesteel. He is thoroughly disgusted with the land there, stating it to be no better than land in Sheridan county which sells from $4 to $5 per acre. His turn to file came Thursday, but after driving over the country for three days, he came to the conclusion that Sheridan county is good enough for him.

Mrs. T.L. Knight, wife of Prof. Knight, and herself the teacher of the Grammar room here the coming year, returned Tuesday from a visit to her parents in Iowa. She is at present establishing herself in the Bert Wilhite house where they will live.

C.E. Lear has taken into partnership Roscoe L. Wilhite, of Gordon, who graduated from the Nebraska Law School in 1903. Mr. Wilhite is the nominee for county attorney in Sheridan county, which he will have to resign. They will greatly increase the library, adding the Northwestern reports, and aim to make the office second to none in the northwest. --Springview Herald.

George Margrave was up from Spring Lake Monday. He bears the tan countenance and calloused hand as an unmistakable sign of having done duty in the hayfield.

Last Monday Dan Hill shipped a carload each of steers and cows and H.H. Rye also shipped two carloads of cattle. Free Mills loaded two cars at Irwin with stock that went down on the same train.

Miss Anna Leach and Miss Mary Vollintine are living on their ranch on Pole Creek. They are very busy putting up hay at present, and intend to farm next year. Their home is in a lonesome valley called the "Blue Bunch Grass Flat Ranch." We hope the barking coyotes won’t frighten them away from their lone valley.

Allen Strong, one of the industrious young men of this community and who held the position of bookkeeper in the Sheridan County Bank for nearly a year, left Monday for Reserve, Kan., where he will receive employment as a bookkeeper for $75 a month. We regret to lose him here but hope to see him do well wherever he may go.

Charley Green, a young lad of Veblen, S.D., partook too freely, not of booze but eatable, palatable, indigestible apple pie; with the result that Charley had a nightmare. He and his brother were sound asleep when Charley was attacked by this nightmare. Believing that the bed was filled with innumerable rats, he suddenly pounced upon his brother with an open pocket knife thinking he was dealing death and destruction to the rat family. Fortunately the knife was very dull and the brother just suffered a scratch back of his ear where the knife glanced off. This surely ought to teach Charley a lesson in moderation that he is not likely to soon forget.

News from Rushville: Chas. P. Bresee went to Valentine on Wednesday to attend the Senatorial convention. He is a candidate for state senator on the republican ticket, and while we have not learned the results of the convention, it is pretty safe to say that he succeeded in getting what he went after, as it has been conceded for some time that he was the only available candidate.

Our town is somewhat on the quiet order this week owing to the fact that farmers are busy harvesting and the ranchmen engaged in putting up hay.

Sergt. F.D. Rollins of Co. I, 21st U.S. Infantry at Fort Lincoln, N.D., is on a visit at the home of Mrs. M.M. Freese this week.

E.H. Hutzel, one of our prominent ranchmen, is feeling good over the arrival of a little dish washer at his home last Monday.

News from Merriman: Arthur Bowring was in town Monday working in the blacksmith shop.
Frank Peacock and Ben Roberts have returned from their trip to South Omaha with cattle.
Jim Childers is now at his home here and in very poor health, but his friends hope that he may get better.

Bert Loomer was using language that bordered upon profanity, Monday, in expressing himself about the homestead he made final proof upon a short time ago. His proof was rejected. His claim was up in Sheridan county.

Albany Notes: The Child boys have a cousin visiting them.

L.L. Eddy and son are putting up hay for Mrs. Dave Clark.

Mr. Rolke had a colt so badly cut to pieces this week that it had to be killed to end its sufferings.

Jack Coon lost a cow and Orry Barney, a horse since our last writing. Both were supposed to have been killed by lightening.

Clarence Hewett seems to be about the busiest man in Albany. He mends harnesses, shoes or buggies and does a great deal of blacksmithing besides.

OBITUARY
Mrs. Lucretia Burroughs died in Gordon at 11 a.m. August 12, 1904. Lucretia Merrill was born May 1, 1842 near Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Wisconsin when about 12 years old. There she met and married Mr. John H. Burroughs in 1861. Three children were born to them: two girls and one boy. The boy and one girl died in youth and the other daughter, Mrs. Jennie Pitman, is still living in Minnesota. She moved with her husband to Sheridan county in 1889 and lived 12 miles northwest of Gordon until the last four years when she has lived in Gordon. Her husband died there September 29, 1897. Her grandson Charley Selbig, was the only relative with her when death came. The funeral services were held from the Methodist Episcopal church, and she was laid to rest in the Gordon cemetery.

Mrs. W.W. Tinker, mother of Joe Tinker, short stop for the Chicago National League baseball team, committed suicide at their home in Kansas City. She was in ill health.

An epidemic of smallpox has broken out in Zion City, the home of Alexander Dowie, the so-called "divine healer." There are said to be fifteen persons ill with the disease.

The wreck of the World’s Fair flyer on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad near Eden, Colorado, seven miles north of Pueblo, Sunday evening, proves to have been one of the greatest railroad disasters in the history of the country. Two crowded passenger cars and a baggage car were engulfed in the torrent that tore out a trestle spanning Steele’s Hollow, otherwise known as Dry Creek, and so far as is known only three of the occupants of these cars escaped death. Fortunately, two sleeping cars and a diner, completing the train, remained on the track at the edge of the abyss, and so quietly had the catastrophe been enacted that the occupants of the three cars remaining on the track did not realize that an accident had occurred until they alighted from the train. At least 100 are known dead, and searches are still occurring.

Filing began at Bonesteel Monday morning. William McCormick of Washington, D.C., who registered from his home county, Lancaster, Neb., filed on the quarter section running length wise of the new town of Roosevelt. Ruggs, who drew No. 2, took the quarter section directly behind it. Three new towns, Roosevelt, Burke and Gregory, have been started and valuable quarter sections are being take up with fine discrimination. There were fears of bloodshed prior to the opening, as hundreds of squatters had gone on lots in the town sites and were defying newcomers to dislodge them at gunpoint. Governor Herried arrived to investigate the situation with regard to sending troops. Probably troops will not be sent. The land office is protected by armed guards while filing money remains inside.

75 Years Ago - 1929

Little Richard Michaelson entertained 20 little friends in honor of his third birthday last Saturday, receiving many pretty gifts. Games were played until late in the afternoon when ice cream, cake and candy were served. Misses Olga Nelson and Pearle Michaelson assisted in taking care of the guests.

A card from Terry Fairbrother of the Journal staff informs the shop force that he is catching the limit of trout up at Buffalo, Wyoming.

Fay Seveland was badly injured in the hand Tuesday when the horse he was riding fell with him. He was brought to town for medical attention.

Dr. S.E. Overmass of Gordon, who has spent the summer in England visiting relatives and taking post-graduate work in a London hospital, set sail Sunday for home and is expected to arrive in Gordon by the middle of next week.

Mrs. A. R. Shearer died at her home near Gordon on August 14, after a nine weeks illness. Mrs. Shearer has lived in this part of the country for a good many years and has made many friends, who mourn her passing. She also leaves four children and her husband. The funeral will be held at 2:30 from the Methodist Church on Saturday with the Rev. Embree in charge. A more complete obituary will appear next week.

Joe Leedom Jr. and Edwin Decker are attending the camp for boys at the State Park near Chadron this week. There are about 75 boys at the camp under the direction of Karl Spence of Franklin, Neb. Most of the lads live in the Platte Valley.

He who marries in haste has usually no leisure in which to repent.

Little Boyd Barker was accidentally bitten by a dog Thursday. Medical aid was given at once and no serious consequences were experienced.

Mrs. Minnie Dohse enjoyed a visit from her sister, Mrs. Bertha Krohm of Randolph, this week. Mrs. Dohse also enjoyed a two weeks visit from her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Pickins, who returned to her home in Omaha on Tuesday.

In Hollywood the other day a half-nude woman rode a horse in a movie. It will likely create a lot of interest as there are many people there who have not seen a horse in a long time.
Explorers say that Africa is rapidly passing as a big game country. About the only place left where there is any good shooting is Chicago.

Clarence and Wilmer Russell had the misfortune to skid and upset their car about six miles south of Gordon last Tuesday. The boys were not hurt nor the car damaged as they were driving slowly.

George Dixon of Batesland had the misfortune to upset his new car near Gordon Saturday night. It caught fire and burned up. They were all bruised up pretty badly.

A new family has moved into the house by the Gwynn grove. Their name is Anderson.

Richard Selby returned Sunday morning from Avonlea, Saskatchewan, where he attended the funeral of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Lydia Carver. Mrs. Selby will visit several weeks before returning.

Thomas Kelly, who lives south of Irwin, had a stroke last week and is getting along slowly.

Last Saturday a roadster driven by Louie Leonard with Buddy Bixler, Berniece Bixler and Marguerite Morris, crashed into a truck and rolled over a time or two. Both cars were wrecked and Miss Morris was quite badly injured. Occupants of both cars were bruised and shaken up.

"Happy" Borders played baseball with Cody against Valentine last Sunday, the game ending 5 to 4 in Valentine’s favor.

Who remembers the good old days when you could take your girl for a fifteen mile drive with a horse and rig and bring her back home thinking she had had a wonderful time?

They have arrested a speeder in Detroit who turns out to be deaf and dumb and has never had an accident. Maybe this is evidence that the greater danger to motor drivers comes from the back seat.

50 Years Ago - 1954

Friends and neighbors of William Rust gathered last Thursday and Friday at his farm in the Batesland community to complete work left unfinished when Mr. Rust was hospitalized with a back injury. In the two days stint, the men finished erecting a Quonset granary, summer fallowed several fields, hauled hay and put wheat into the granary. Contributing to the project were women of the neighborhood who sent, brought and served food for dinner and supper both days.

Gloria Huckfeldt has been named drum major for the coming year for the Gordon high school marching band. Majorettes will be Lois Shanks, Marlys Suhr, Glenna McKinnon, Kathleen West and Rosalie Metzger.

Ralph H. Ballard and Richard O. Anderson, both of Gordon, have been called for Aug. 23 induction into the armed forces.

Sgt. Gary M. Benson and Cpl. James E. Gran of Gordon was among the 3,163 military personnel from the Far East who docked Saturday morning at Seattle, Wash. aboard the Navy transport, Marine Adder. Both men will receive their discharges at Camp Carson, Colo., soon.

David American Horse arrived home Saturday evening for a 30-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles American Horse. Following his leave, he will report to Ft. Jackson, S.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Bud Goodwin of Merriman are the parents of a baby girl born Friday morning, August 13th, at the Martin hospital. She has been named Carolyn Joyce. Mrs. Goodwin is the former Bernita Dahlgren, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Dahlgren of Merriman. The Goodwins live at Cody.

Miss DeLena Spanner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Spanner of Gordon, became the bride of Alvin VanBriggle on Saturday, July 24th.

Marilyn Jane Coon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond D. Coon became the bride of Lester Hathorn Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hathorn Sr. of Gordon on Thursday, August 12 at the Methodist church in Rushville.

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Vinton have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Donaldeen to Martin D. Connealy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted. Connealy.

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Drake of Oakland, Calif. arrived in Gordon Tuesday, Aug. 10 to spend a month with Mr. Drake’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Drake. Mrs. Drake was discharged from the WAVES in March and Mr. Drake received his discharge from the Navy this month. They will enroll at the University of Colorado this fall.

Births at the Gordon Memorial hospital were to:
*Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thompson, a son, Steven Lynn, August 12, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Prentice, a son, Stuart Dale, Aug. 12th.
*Mr. and Mrs. Harold Walgren, a son, David Ellis, Aug. 13th.
*Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Jealous of Him, a daughter, Clynda Janet, August 16, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson, a son, August 17, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hankins, a son born Aug. 16, 1954.

25 Years Ago - 1979

Four people are dead and two are hospitalized with serious injuries as a result of an early morning crash, Sunday, August 12th, according to a sergeant of the Pine Ridge Police department. Dead are: Ferris White Bull, 20; Keith White Bull, 22; Marsha White Bull, 2; Lois Ann Winters, 16. Injured are Mrs. Eldred (Jean) Reeves and her daughter Kim of Gordon. Mrs. Reeves suffered several breaks of the jaw, teeth broken out and a punctured ear canal. She has submitted to surgery on her jaw and must have surgery on the ear canal. Kim, 15, sustained a broken nose. The accident occurred between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. Sunday on a curve where the BIA road joins highway 18 about 4 ½ miles from Wounded Knee. The car driven by Ferris White Bull is believed to have swung too wide and entered the other lane of traffic where it collided with the Reeves 4-wheel drive which was pulling a horse trailer and horse. Mrs. Reeves and her daughter were on their way to Rapid City where Kim was to participate in a horse show. Kim’s horse was destroyed in the collision. Ferris White Bull, Marsha and Lois Ann Winters were dead at the site of the accident. Keith White Bull died en route to the Rapid City hospital. Marsha was the daughter of Ferris White Bull.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bower arrived Monday from Lincoln where they were observing Mrs. Bower’s 85th birthday, Mr. Bower’s 90th birthday, and a few weeks premature observance of the couple’s 66th wedding anniversary. The couple were former residents of Gordon.

A buffet dinner in honor of the first birthday of Eleanor McBeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill McBeth, was held Monday evening, August 6th in the Jim McBeth home.

Births at Gordon Memorial:
*Mr. and Mrs. Don Tausan of Cody, a daughter, Aug. 7.
*Mr. and Mrs. Dale Lein of Gordon, a son, born Aug. 8th.
*Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Trenkle of Rushville, a son, born Aug. 11.
*Mr. and Mrs. Sam Chavez of Gordon, a son, born Aug. 11.

There was a good turnout at district 83 school meeting on Thursday night. Joyce Smith was elected to serve three years on the school board.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gealy drove to Dexter, Iowa and attended Ruth’s 40th year class reunion from Dexter High School. David Gealy of Champaign, Ill., met them in Dexter and returned home with them on Monday for a week’s vacation.

Word was received August 10th of the death of Mrs. Gerald Greenamyre, former resident of the Gordon area. They lived south of Gordon for many years and since have been living in Niobrara. Mrs. Margaret Nelson and Gordon Greenamyre are her daughter and son. Funeral services were held at Niobrara Monday afternoon with burial at Brunswick.

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