Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Dec. 24, 2003
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1903
Up to our last writing, Wednesday evening, the weather has been very pleasant with every indication of Christmas without snow.
S.S. Joice secured a 20-pound turkey for Christmas. We had supposed that such sized animals would be reserved for preachers and editors, but it seem that turkeys, like rain, are sent to the unjust as well as the just.
Mr. Wm. Pettycrew of Valentine and Miss Ora Walls will be married this evening (Thursday) at the Walls home east of town. Miss Walls has many friends here who join with the Journal in congratulations.
Frank Sasenberry was operated on Tuesday in the Streater hospital, Chicago, by Dr. E. Pratt, for oblique hernia. A small performance of this kind under the scalpel of Dr. Pratt is only $300. The doctor is one of the leading surgeons of Chicago and we hope Frank will receive permanent good from the operation.
Amos Burwell and his wife went up to Rushville Tuesday and rented a residence preparatory to moving there, which they expect to do next week if the weather is favorable.
If you want to buy a Christmas present for a friend, the Gordon town hall is offered for sale at sacrifice. The business men want a new town hall, and while it will pay interest on the invest-ment, no one seems to care to tackle it.
Rasmus Truelson purchased a power corn sheller of the Jordan Hardware Co. for $260 and is prepared to shell for others.
Bert Palmer of Nehawka, Nebr. has discovered perpetual motion, he claims. He has invented a machine which has run seven weeks without stopping and without any apparent loss of energy. He is having a model made on which he hopes to secure a patent.
Tom Woodhouse arrived here from Bloomington, Wisconsin, on Tuesday morning. It will be remembered that Tom was on who throng the house from early dawn to wish him a Merry Christmas and receive from him a remembrance.
In Silesia there is a superstition that a boy born on Christmas Day must be brought up a lawyer or he will become a thief.
Christmas mince pies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were made with crust so shaped as to represent the manger.
In France it is a common practice to celebrate Christmas by giving an extra ration to domestic animals on the theory that all creatures should unite in rejoicing at this season.
The children at Bethlehem are still told by their mothers that on Christmas eve a choir of angels always sings above the place where Christ was born. Travelers say that on this evening scores of children may be seen in the open air, looking up into the sky, waiting to hear the angels sing.
Probably the most gorgeous Christmas spectacle in the world takes place in Lima, Peru, where a wonderful procession several miles long winds through the streets, bearing figures of hundreds of saints and the sacred pictures of the cathedral. Many thousands of soldiers in their bright uniforms, Indian women decked with ribbons and flowers, and asses heavily laden with choice fruits and harnessed with strings of golden bells all appear in line; and on stands passed by the parade are representations of scenes from the Nativity. At night the whole city makes merry with guitars, castanets and weird native dancers, and the celebration ends with great public feasts where rich and poor exchange greetings.
75 Years Ago - 1928
At a meeting of the directors of the First National Bank held on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Lee Fritz was elected as President of the institution to succeed the late Mr. D.H. Griswold. Mr. Fritz will continue at his store, but will assist at the bank in an advisory capacity. Mr. Dwight P. Griswold was chosen as a Vice-president to succeed Mr. Fritz in that office. Mr. B.D. Berkheimer, cashier, will remain in active charge of the bank, and Mrs. D.H. Griswold was chosen as a director to fill the vacancy which was created.
The Vocational Agricultural Dept. has organized an Ag Club. This is the first organization of its kind in northwestern Nebraska. The constitution and bylaws were adopted last week. There were 32 charter members. Alfred Caparoon was elected President; Marvin Jorgensen, Vice-President; Raymond Versaw, Secretary; and Warren Donner, Treasurer. Last Friday the Animal Husbandry class drove out to the Robert McGaughey farm. The purpose of the trip was to become familiar with the breed of Shorthorn cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hardin are the parents of a little daughter, Deloris Imogene, born December 17th.
The members of the Royal Neighbors Lodge met in regular session at the Odd Fellows Hall Tuesday evening when the following officers were elected for the coming year: Oracle, Mrs. W.I. Smith; Vic-Oracle, Mrs. S.W. Brown; Secretary, Mrs. Roy Denny; Treasurer, Mrs. Hugo Steinhaus, and Chaplain, Mrs. Joe McGaughey. After the business session, Mrs. Joe Skinner, assisted by Mesdames Thayer, J.A. Saults, Howard Davis and Miss Marjorie Boyles served a delicious lunch.
Mr. Roy Rasmussen went to Norfolk with a shipment of five carloads of hogs.
Mrs. Ed Stout of Irwin brought her small daughter to Gordon Saturday afternoon for medical attention. The little girl fell from an organ stool a few days ago and broke her arm in two places.
The annual guest day party of the Music and Dramatic club was held at the I.O.O.F. hall Friday afternoon. The program included a vocal solo by Mrs. C.H. Bartow, a piano solo by Mrs. John Mercer, two whistling duets by Mrs. J. Trueblood and Mrs. R. Sailor, several Yuletide readings, a vocal duet by Mrs. Beutler and Mrs. Smith, and two vocal solos by Mrs. O Connell. There were over 50 guests in attendance, and much of the credit for a very special evening were due to the hostesses, Mesdames Leedom, Hill, I.J. Trueblood and the Misses O Rourk and Schmitt.
WEST WARD SCHOOL NEWS
Both kindergarten classes will have their Christmas party Friday morning, and there will be no afternoon kindergarten. Helen McGaughey will spend her Christmas vacation at her home east of Gordon. Viola Stanek will spend her vacation at her home at Verdigree, Nebr. Myrtle Grace will be going to Valentine. Helen Hartman will spend Christmas in Bayard. The third grade really enjoyed the Christmas tree brought by Virginia McElyea and all the children brought decorations. Wilma Smith will spend her vacation at her home in Chadron. Gladys Scown will be going to her home in Rapid City for the holidays. Frances Burtner will spend Christmas at her home in Lincoln. Mr. Ludwig Bruns brought the 6th grade a beautiful little pine tree and Jules LaGess brought the decorations. Vera Roberts will spend her vacation at her home in Valentine.
Editor Dwight P. Griswold, who lost his father from a sudden stroke last week, remembers Dwight H. Griswold with a few special tributes including the following: No boy ever had a better father than I did. His first interest was always his family. The past twelve and a half years were terribly hard ones on my father, and they undoubtedly hastened his death. Starting in June, 1916, he had very little peace of mind. At that time, his only son was called out to serve in the National Guard on the Mexican Border, and no sooner had he gotten back than away he went again to spend a year and a half in the Army during the World War. We young fellows, who did this serving cannot appreciate, I feel, the amount of grief and worry we brought to the loving mothers and fathers here at home. Perhaps my father suffered no more than any other but I think perhaps he did. He had lost his own father in the Civil War and he knew what war could mean. And then almost immediately following the War came the financial crash, with deposits of his bank dropping from a peak of $1,200,000 down to $550,000. This came gradually but in the course of a few years, over $600,000 had to be paid over the counter to the depositors. And in the years of 1920 to 1926, no farmer, rancher or merchant suffered more mental anguish than did my father. Perhaps first, of course, he wanted to save his own savings of a lifetime, but very close to his thoughts of his own affairs was the worry for his friends. When they lost their all, or when he had to refuse them further loans, I doubt if the other fellow felt a bit worse about it than did my father. The members of his family know just how deep it went with him. No person ever tried to give others more honest advice than did my father. His judgment was undoubtedly often wrong, generally so because he was overly conservative, but just the same the advice he gave was his own honest belief. On several occasions he advised parties not to go into certain deals when it would have made my father money had they done so. His judgment of others largely devolved on whether their word was good. He realized that sometimes, a fellow simply couldn't pay out, and if they honestly tried, it was all he expected, and they had his complete respect. It surely seems that Providence had taken some special pains to bring death just when it did. My father had gotten the bank's affairs and his own personal affairs in shape so that he felt that he could go away for several months, and then perhaps be gone a good deal in the future. And just as he had reached that point, he was taken. But his family knew that he went happily, in the knowledge that he won the fight he had started out to win almost ten years ago, when he made up his mind that he would pull things through the depression that struck this entire section. The winning of that fight undoubtedly cut ten years off his life, but it brought him a satisfaction that made it all worth while. One of my ambitions now is that my son may have the same respect for his father that I have for mine.
---Dwight P. Griswold
Obituary: Thomas Shanks.
Thomas Shanks was born in Airdale, Scotland, April 15, 1840, and passed away suddenly of heart failure at his home near Gordon, Nebraska, on Sunday, December 16, 1928, having reached the age of 88 years, eight months, and one day. When 23 years of age he came to America, locating in Sterling, Ill. He was united in marriage to Jane Maxwell on May 27, 1874, and came to Auburn, Nebraska, later living at Alma, where he was a successful farmer and stockman and endured the hardships with other pioneers. He was the father of three children; Jessie I., John W. and Thomas A. Jr., Jessie preceding her father in death in the year 1896. Later Mr. Shanks and his wife retired to Nevada, Mo., where they lived until July 6, 1928, when they came to live with their son John W. Shanks and family. He leaves to mourn his loss, his loving wife, his son John and family, all of Gordon, and his son Thomas and family of Eldorado Springs, Mo., who were unable to attend the funeral. Services were held from the home near Gordon in charge of Rev. A.L. Hutton and interment was made in the Gordon cemetery.50 Years Ago - 1953
The trial of Duane McLain, 20, being tried for his life for the murder of Karen Talbot, 13, Rushville, came to a close Tuesday evening when the jury found McLain guilty of murder in the first degree and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial ran eight days, with two and one-half days being taken up with selecting the jury. Thirty-four witnesses testified for the prosecution and six for the defense. The case went to the jury at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and deliberation began about 1:45 p.m. and deliberation was finished at 7:20 p.m.
Claude Greenwood, rancher of the Extension vicinity, was painfully gored by a cow last Thursday at the Gordon Sales yard, and was rushed to the Gordon Memorial hospital for treatment. The attack is said to have occurred when Greenwood went into the pen to tend to a hydrant. As he turned his back, the animal charged him, the curved horn entering his thigh and ripping the flesh extensively as it was withdrawn. Mr. Greenwood was dismissed from the hospital on Monday and was able to return to his home.
Bernita Belle Dahlgren, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Dahlgren of Merriman, was united in marriage to Laurence Albert Goodwin, son of Mrs. Vera Goodwin of Cody, on Dec. 18, 1953 at the Methodist church in Merriman. The groom is employed at the Slocum ranch near Cody where the couple will be at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hull were hosts at a birthday dinner Tuesday evening honoring Betty Wallace on her 16th birthday. Other guests were the Rev. and Mrs. Ben Wallace and Miss Laverne Myers and Tom Wallace of Lincoln.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Eichenberger are the parents of a daughter, Wanda Jean, born Dec. 19, 1953.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry DeWolf announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their youngest daughter, Vesta, to Calvin E. Strasburger, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Stras-burger of Ellsworth. No date has been set for the wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Jacoby will observe their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their home on Sunday, Dec. 27. Their children are honoring them at an open house in the afternoon and cordially invite friends to call between 2 and 5 o clock.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ruleau Sr., entertained at a dinner Sunday honoring their son and daughter-in-law, Sgt. and Mrs. Herbert Ruleau Jr. of Concord, Calif. Other guests were Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Dyer and Larry.
Pvt. Deen Johnson arrived home from Fort Sill on Saturday to spend the holiday with home folks. Deen will report back to Camp Kilmer, N.J. sometime after the first of the new year.
Several servicemen are home for the holidays with their families and friends. Those we have heard about include: Pfc. and Mrs. Herbie Ruleau; Pfc. and Mrs. Junior Shuster and daughter, Pfc. and Mrs. James Hickman; Sgt. Leo Gottier, 2Lt. Bill Waldo, Seaman 3rd class and Mrs. Donald Ruleau, Pfc. Delmar Petzold, Pvt. Larry Goodrich, Don Goodrich, and Pvt. Milton Holmgrain.
25 Years Ago - 1978
Mrs. Vernon (Mae) Johnson is reported in stable condition in a Laramie, Wyo. hospital following a vehicle accident in which she was seriously injured. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson left Gordon Thursday, Dec. 21, traveling by pickup pulling a mobile home, en route to spend Christmas with their daughter Paula in Nevada, according to Fr. Walter Phillips. Because of exceedingly high winds, they stopped in Cheyenne that night. They resumed their journey the next day. The wind velocity apparently had not abated or had come up again. Some 30 miles from Laramie, their vehicles were blown from the highway, crashing into a guard rail on the passenger's side. The mobile home was completely demolished while glass was broken on the pickup door and Mrs. Johnson's arm was almost amputated when it went through the broken window which lodged against the guard rail. It was almost an hour before an ambulance arrived to take the Johnsons to the Laramie hospital but miraculously the injured arm did not bleed excessively. Specialists were flown in and Mrs. Johnson was in surgery for more than four hours. The latest news received in Gordon is that the prognosis is good. There is circulation in the arm and Mrs. Johnson has been able to move the fingers of that hand. Dr. Johnson suffered minor injuries.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL
Thou shalt not kill with gun or knife
Tis sin to take another s life.
Tis also sin, you will agree,
To murder with a Mercury.
I think it would offend the Lord
To kill a fellow with a Ford.
The same applies, I think you ll say,
To slaying with a Chevrolet.
Twould prove that love to man you lack
To hit him with your Pontiac.
So drive with common sense and care
Your Tempest, Falcon or Corvair.
This instruction includes all
The foreign makes, however small.
It's a sin to murder with a car,
Fiat, Rolls-Royce, or Jaguar.
Thou shalt not hot-rod, drag or peel
While sitting at thy steering wheel.
Excessive speeds thou shalt avoid,
Lest thou and others be destroyed.
And when thou meetest in the night
Another car, dim thou the light.
Whether thou drivest night or day,
The traffic laws thou shalt obey.
Thou shalt not pass on curve or hill.
This is the law: Thou shalt not kill.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 19:59:47 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
© 2003 Sheridan Co. NEGenWeb