Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Feb 5, 2004
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1904
President Roosevelt yesterday signed an order restoring to the public domain what is known in Nebraska as the “extension strip”. This is a strip of land fifteen miles long and ten miles wide in the north part of Sheridan county, which was taken from the public domain and placed at the disposal of the Sioux Indians. It has been known as the “dead line” and a number of efforts have been made to have it restored. Congressman Kinkaid was at the back of the plan to restore the strip.
T.W. Terry and family, formerly of Kearney, arrived in Gordon last Saturday morning to become residents of Sheridan county. It will be remembered that Mr. Terry last fall purchased the Marion Moss place, southwest of town. We wish these people success and happiness in their new home.
DIED. Norvin O., age 6 months and 3 days, the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Mills, at Atkinson, January 30. The remains were brought to Gordon Sunday morning for interment and funeral services took place from the home in the afternoon. The child had been ailing most of the time, and its sufferings ended by his passage to that better land that knows no pain.
There are a few young people around town that are entirely too gay and don’t seem to realize that the community in general is saying that they are acting like blasted idiots.
We saw a little rosy-cheeked boy out with his sled this morning, and the music of his voice and his dancing eye proved beyond a question that he had a greater share of happiness than John D. Rockefeller or J. Pierpont Morgan. It’s a blessing that happiness can’t be bought or cornered, or there wouldn’t be any of it left for the children.
J.C. Jordan has been doing some business in Rushville of late, but it is somewhat uncertain as to what his evil intentions towards Rushville are.
E.A. Hotz, returned to Gordon on Monday of last week, after having spent nearly three months in Washington and adjacent western coast country. It seems there are many drawbacks there, and Mr. Hotz is happy to remain in Sheridan County.
Blessed is the man who paid his taxes yearly, for the time has come when it must be done, and for some people it is consider-able.
S. Hoyt was at Rushville Wednesday and reports every-body there is unanimous for a new court house.
The Court House Matter
As may be seen by the notice elsewhere in this issue, the question of the building a new court house is liable to be before the people of Sheridan county again. We trust the animosities of the old county seat fights ave passed away. This Journal man is very much opposed to the issuing of bonds that double in value before they can be paid, but this will not be necessary in order to build a court house in Sheridan county. As we understand the financial situation of the county, a court house can be built at a cost of something like $20,000 and the county not go into debt, and that the rate of tax assessment will not need to be raised above what it is now to keep the county finances in good condition. The vaults now used are inadequate for the keeping of the county records, and a fire at any time might cost the county more than a new court house. The law requires the county commissioners to care for the county records and it looks like they will be forced to do something in the way of new vaults. The expense saved by a good court house will pay the county a reasonable interest on the investment, and the money is on hand that can be invested. As the facts is regard to this important matter come up, our readers will be kept informed.Notice of Meeting to Appoint Men to Go to Rushville Feb. 15.
In pursuance of the request made by the county commissioners that each precinct send at least two representative men to go to Rushville on Monday, Feb. 15, to get acquainted with the situation relative to the building of a court house in this county, the citizens of Gordon precinct are requested to meet at the office of Chas. H. Sailor at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, to elect said representatives.A Man You Don’t Meet Often
Hans Peterson, who came to this country in an early day, like some others, had many misfortunes, got in debt, became discouraged and left the country, telling some of his creditors that if he ever made any money he would pay them. Years run on, but no Hans Peterson was heard from until last week, when he came in with a north wind from Irene, S.D. He settled an account with W.L. Mills for nearly $100, and smaller amounts with J.A. Scamahorn, the bank and others. Of course, we know of men who got behind in the same way, and who stayed right here, made the money, and paid up. And yet we feel like speaking a good word for a man who will come several hundred miles to settle bills of eight and nine years standing.Up in Manitoba, Canada, it has been 50 degrees below zero. Hold up your right hand for Nebraska.
What the Moon Can Tell Us.
A clear moon indicates frost.
A dull looking moon means rain.
A single halo around the moon
indicates a storm.
If the moon looks high, cold
weather may be expected.
If the moon looks low down, warm
weather is promised.
The new moon on her back always
denotes wet weather.
A double halo around the moon
means boisterous weather.
If the moon changes with the wind
in the east, expect bad weather.
If the moon is bright and clear when
three days old, fine weather is
sure to come.
When the moon is visible in the
daytime, we may look forward to
cool days.
When the points of the crescent of
the new moon are very clearly
visible, frost is expected.
If the new moon appears with its
points upward, then the month
will be dry; but if the points be
downward, more or less rain must
be expected during the next three
weeks. ---The American Queen
75 Years Ago - 1929After two and a half months of fine weather, Old Man Winter swooped down on this locality and below zero weather has been the rule for nearly two weeks. About the lowest temperature reported was last Thursday night when the mercury dropped to 26 below, according to T.O. Williams, local government weather observer.
Ensign Clifford Duerfeldt, US Navy, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Duerfeldt, that he is getting along nicely in his aviation work at the Naval Training Station at Pensacola, Fla. He has passed his tests and has been doing solo flying in sea-planes for some time. He is now practicing stunt work.
Miss Mildred Imboden and Dr. H.A. Larson were united in marriage at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 28. Miss Imboden was employed as a nurse in Dr. Dwyer’s office here for some time and has made many friends in Gordon. Dr. Larson is one of the leading dentists in northwest Nebraska and has resided in Gordon for a number of years. He is active in professional and business circles in this city. The young couple have a host of friends who wish them well. Mrs. E.H. Dwyer of Gordon attended the ceremony.
Lieutenant and Mrs. Wayne L. Barker and children arrived in Gordon last week from Honolulu where they have been stationed the past few years. They are visiting at the home of Mrs. Barker’s mother, Mrs. Clarissa Griswold. Since leaving for the Island, Wayne has been promoted to First Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps and is now en route to Fort Wright, New York, where he will be stationed.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Thorsen are the parents of a baby girl born on Jan. 24. The new baby has been named Esther May.
The baby of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Arent of Merriman is quite sick with pneumonia. The mother and baby are in the home of Mrs. Fanny Moore.
It is reported that U.S. Marshal C.N. Leedom of Sioux Falls, S.D., and his deputies were in Martin Monday and made several arrests on liquor charges. Evidence had been secured by the prohibition enforcement officers and after the arrests were made, several prisoners were taken to Deadwood. Most of the men taken into custody lived north of Cody, and several stills were also taken.
One great need for the future growth of Gordon is that of more houses. Every day people call at this office looking for homes to rent. And almost without exception, we must state that none are advertised. While we are not good judges of the situation, it would seem that a number of medium sized houses would pay their owner a good return.
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Meisner are the parents of a baby boy born January 25.
Each year the farmers who raise wheat in this community lose $25,780. This loss is caused by the presence of a disease called stinking or Bunt Smut. The Omaha Grain Exchange reports that 23 per cent of the total wheat receipts were graded smutty. Last year 426,000 bushels of wheat was shipped out of Gordon and 75% was graded smutty. An average of four cents per bushel was docked from the regular price of clean wheat. Dockage alone represents a loss of $12,780. The situation is not as helpless as it sounds, however. The disease can be largely controlled by treating the seed wheat. Wheat is not the only grain crop attacked by smut. Oats and barley are victims of the same disease, but must be treated differently. --E.M. Huckfeldt.
An old fiddlers’ contest was held in the Odd Fellows hall last Friday evening. Allen Sanders won first place, Lester Hawk won second, and Clyde Parker took third. After the contest an old time dance was held.
50 Years Ago - 1954
The streets of Gordon were deserted Tuesday morning and business houses shuttered as sorrowing townspeople paid last respects to the mother and her four children who died tragically in an early morning fire here, last Thursday, Jan. 21st. The devastating fire that took the five lives is called the worst in Gordon’s history. When it was determined that the present chapel would be too small to accommodate the many friends of the family, the yet unfinished St. Leo’s Catholic church was opened for the funeral services of Mrs. Ralph Gangarosa 34, Ralph 6, Chris 5, Carol 3 and Mary Lee 2. Burial was in the Gordon cemetery.
The scene of the tragedy was the Emmons Haller house on Maverick street across, east, from the new elementary school building. The fire was discovered about 4:30 a.m. by Mrs. Ester Fickel when she was awakened by the glare of the flames. Simultaneously, Mr. and Mrs. Haller (who live in a house at the back of the same lot) were awakened by Dr. Gangarosa who, clad only in his pajamas, his face blackened and burned, blood streaming from a wound in his throat, was calling frantically for help. In the mean-time Fred Hlava, another neighbor and manager of the local power company here, rushed across the street and was told by the doctor that his family was still in the flaming structure. Indicating a downstairs window he said it opened into the room where the two little boys were sleeping. Mr. Hlava wrenched off the storm window and attempted to enter. Driven back by the intense heat and smoke, he thrust an arm through the opening, thinking he might reach the day bed and draw it to the window. Instead he grasped the standard of a floor lamp, then so hot the pattern of ridges was seared on his fingers and the palm of his hand. Within four or five minutes after the sounding of the alarm, Fire Chief Bill Davis was at the scene. At that time, he says, the south porch was demolished, the roof caved in and flames were swirling toward the north wing of the house. Fire trucks arrived about two minutes later. Firemen, aided by the Rushville department, battled the blaze in 11 below temperature. Within 30 minutes the fire was under control. Dr. Gangarosa, restrained in his frantic attempts to re-enter the doomed building, was placed in a car and taken to the hospital for treatment. Complicating the task, Mr. Davis says, was the fact that the house, which was moved to Gordon in 1892 or ‘93, was built of native pine and the pitch in the lumber was like pouring kerosene on the flames. Further difficulty was from the fact that the exact location of the bodies was not known and because of the great pressure of the water lines, streams had to be directed with utmost caution. As near as can yet be determined, the fired originated in a corner of the south porch where ashes from the cook stove had been placed in a combustible container. It is thought that Mrs. Gangarosa emptied the ashes there about 9 p.m. or a little earlier the night before. As reconstructed, the ashes smoldered underneath for hours finally igniting the floor, spreading to the walls and ceiling, which were of varnished plywood. The blaze, gaining headway, roared into the south wing of the house, sending out seething heat and clouds of smoke which spiraled up the stairway. Officials believe that the little boys were asphyxiated within minutes from the noxious fumes generated by the burning varnish. Direct cause of all deaths is attributed to poisonous gas and suffocation rather than burning.
It is believed that Mrs. Gangarosa, an expectant mother, and Dr. Gangarosa, who were sleeping in the second floor bedroom on the west were also partially overcome when they awakened. Their first thought, of course, was of their children. The doctor, because of the intense heat and smoke, was thwarted in his attempt to reach the two little girls sleeping in an upstairs bedroom across the hall. He then went to the assistance of his wife and together they stumbled to the west window. As he struggled to open the window and without realizing it, his wife, Elisa, collapsed - falling backwards. At this point officials believe the doctor also was on the verge of suffocation and fell forward, plunging through the window. The fresh air revived him and he ran for help.
Too much praise cannot be given to the firemen for their expert handling of an extremely difficult situation. Facing them was the task of extinguishing flames roaring through one section of a highly inflammable building, preventing the blaze from reaching another section and keeping the fire from enveloping a 300 gallon fuel oil tank at the back of the garage. Some of their mittens froze to hands and caps to heads, bodies were completely sheathed in ice, but each man stayed at his post until the job was done. The one regret voiced by the firemen was that the advanced stage of the fire on their arrival made any rescue work impossible.
The school house was opened and hot coffee was served by the firemen’s auxiliary, as well as by Mrs. Haller and Mrs. Ed Zilmer from their homes. It was revealed later that Jean, nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Capler, very nearly was a victim of the tragedy. Having stayed with the little girls after school when Mrs. Gangarosa took the boys to the dentist, Jean had planned to spend the night. Her father, however, was at the home in the evening and Jean accompanied him when he left.
Dr. Gangarosa, a veterinarian, and his family came to Gordon first in April of 1949 from Walworth, New York. They left for a time but returned to Gordon in the fall of 1953.Births: *Mr. and Mrs. Melbourne Hamm, a daughter, Marsha Lynn, Jan. 21, 1954. *Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Goodfellow Jr., a daughter, Susan Elaine, Jan. 21, 1954. *Mr. and Mrs. Roy Smith, a daughter, Leslie Rae, Jan. 23rd. *Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Turnbull , a son, Charles Edward, Jan.25.
Kathy Kearns, 4, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Kearns, living south of Rushville, is slowly improving in the Rush-ville hospital following a skull fracture. Kathy fell down the basement steps of their home Friday night and was entered in the hospital the following day.
Ted Evans is in the Gordon Memorial hospital recovering from a fall Monday which happened while he was working on the interior of the new Catholic church. Mr. Evans lost his balance and fell from a ladder. According to his daughter, Darlene, it is undeter-mined how seriously he is hurt.
25 Years Ago - 1979
The seven county-owned cats [Catapelier tractors] and a rotary plow are at work in Sheridan county trying to liberate embattled rural people from winter’s icy hammerlock, according to Tom Annett, district 1 commissioner. One of the worst problems in the country are the drifted roads, no trace of them can be detected beneath the thick blanket of snow and ice. County road crews and “all the private contractors we can get” are engaged in cutting through the huge drifts that have been build-ing since Thanksgiving. The November storms deposited snow which formed the foundation for the present drifts which have been piling up week after week after week.
The Milan Whiz Kids 4H club held its reorganization meeting recently at the home of Duane Cerny. A new member, Michael Cerny, was welcomed to the club. New officers elected were: James Kruml, leader; Grace Cerny, assistant leader; Dan Otte, president; Corey Wilson, vice-president; Sheila Otte, secretary-treasurer, and Mike Cerny, news reporter. The next meeting will be held at the Gene Wilson home.
Maude Keller hosted dinner at her house Sunday in honor of the 30th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bermingham. Guests besides the Berminghams included Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bermingham and family of Rushville and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Keller.
On January 20th, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Wallingford, the Richard Wallingford family and the Mary Ann Alden family of Merriman were supper guests of Nina Martinez of Gordon. Later in the evening cake and ice cream were served in honor of Red Wallingford’s 70th birthday.
A recently completed project at the City hall was the renovation and repair of the front steps. The project was long overdue, the broken steps that had existed for some time were hazardous to the health of all comers.
A flu-plagued Bronc wrestling squad attended the Western conference tournament in Sidney on Saturday. The team was short in a few weight classes and finished last in the tournament. Individually, Keith Krzyzanowski led the Broncs with a second place finish at 145. Loren Wilson, heavyweight, was third and Mark Metzger 105, Jim Morsett 112, and Todd Butler 155, all finished in fourth place.
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submitted by Helen Selee
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