Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Feb 04, 2005
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1905
Last Sunday morning in the midst of divine worship, the people were startled on the alarm of fire. Mr. Joshua Parker had discovered smoke escaping from the roof of Fred Duerfeldt’s residence in the east part of town. The firemen were quick to respond but did not extinguish the blaze before a partition, the ceiling and the rafters had been seriously damaged. Principally all of the household effects had been removed before water was turned on. The damage to the building by water and fire will amount to more than one half and is fully covered by insurance. The blaze originated from a cooking range being too close to a partition wall. Mr. Duerfeldt is now housed in the building vacated by Henry Hauger and is not yet decided whether to repair the old house or build a new one.
M.S. Herbert received a message Sunday afternoon announcing the dangerous illness of both his father and mother whom he had left less than two weeks previous, feeling better than they had for some time. He took the morning passenger for Sullivan, Indiana, where his parents reside.
From cards sent out to some of his friends here it is learned that George Wyant, formerly foreman on the Bell ranch, was married on February 1st to Miss Rosa Ross and will be at home to friends at Ainsworth after February 15th.
The telephone line of northwest of Gordon has been connected with the central office. Those who have installed phones are Mrs. J.V. Glover, E.L. Adams, Mr. Beekman, W.M. Harrison and P.S. Parker. About five others will install phones very shortly.
Emery Potts, George Freeman and Bud Secrest have been planning a grey wolf chase in the south hills. We hope the scalps they get are many.
C.C. Parker has filled his ice house and will have enough to keep some of his customers cool.
Oranges sale on Saturday. Large size 25 cents, medium size of the best grades of oranges are 20 cents per dozen while they last …at The Fair.
Dan Fields, a life insurance agent in Omaha, came in last Friday morning for a visit with his brother, R.E. Fields, who now has charge of T.B. Irwin’s ranch.
Wilhite & Sons began putting up ice last Thursday.
The pupils of our high school will debate with the Hay Springs high school on the evening of Feb. 18 in Gordon.
Several of the young people of Gordon drove out to the Henry Sassenbury home, where they were royally entertained by Misses Effie and Mamie Sassenbury.
E. L. Adams, who has been working all fall and winter at Fort Robinson, returned Thursday. He is looking over the plans of The Fair’s new building and it is likely will superintend the construction of the same.
D.B. Lowell of Omaha was in Gordon Friday and Saturday on business. Mr. Lowell is the inventor of a new kind of powder for blasting and blowing purposes that excels any so far known. He is on his way to the mining country in the Black Hills where he seeks introduction of his invention.
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Capt. Fuller Hurt
Late Monday evening in a message to Cashier Griswold the following news was conveyed, and also a request to send someone to Merriman to take charge of the Anchor Bank for some time. W.E. Brown was delegated to look after the bank’s affairs.
The details of the affray in which Capt. Fuller was hurt are thus: Saturday morning Mrs. Fuller sent her four-year-old son for a visit to a neighbor’s, the boy having a note that the neighbor’s wife should send him home at 11:30. The boy went over to Mr. Hewlett’s residence by mistake and as there had been friction between the families for some time, Mrs. Hewlett abused the boy. Mrs. Fuller granted Lady Hewlett an interview in the midst of which Mr. Hewlett came in on the scene, denouncing Mrs. Fuller severely. After dinner Mr. Hewlett was called into the bank to talk the matter over when he suddenly struck Fuller, who was anxious then to bring a gun into play. On Monday morning Fuller made a statement of Hewlett’s account with the bank and desired him to close the account. While on his way to work after dinner Fuller saw Hewlett on the street and told him to come over to the bank for a settlement when without warning Hewlett dealt him a blow in the mouth that sent Fuller backward on the sidewalk with a terrific force. All afternoon Fuller was at work at the bank but after supper he became unconscious, remaining so until two o’clock the next morning when he was revived and has been on the mend since, but is far from being well. It is thought he suffered a concussion of the brain.---------------------------------
Merriman News from the Cody CowboyGeorge Stover, of Gamble, S.D., had a bond executed Monday by the terms of which he is permitted to run a store and sell goods to the Indians, who happen to want to deal at the hub.
Orders were left by Judge Walcott for some improvements about the Green Hotel. A new door will be put in the front and the premises are to be supplied with a well that will give water. These are desirable improvements and are liable to have a moderating influence on the disposition of the landlady.
Ben Roberts had not yet returned from his trip to West Point the first of the week.
A large store room addition to the saloon is being built. P.H. Clarke and Wm. Crane are doing the work.
Chris Holst and daughter Margrethe were in from Irwin and she made a homestead filing on the claim which she contested about a year ago. This was the Denny Hathorn claim.
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ALBANY ITEMS
Price Hobbs is putting up ice. Tom Trueax is helping him.Mrs. Wm. Gardner has gone down to Gordon to care for Mrs. Dixon who is sick.
Will Clark and his wife attended the sale at Charley Butz’s last Friday. Will said he bought himself rich and Mrs. Clark went for the free lunch.
Revs. Phillips and Hick are holding a series of meetings at the Hatch school house. They are able speakers and very sincere in the cause of Christ. Let the good work go on.
Mr. Boggs and wife, who have been visiting at the home of Fred Robinson, returned to their home in eastern Nebraska on Monday of last week.
The Colorado joint legislative committee that is hearing the Peabody-Adams gubernatorial contest, examined more experts, who testified that in eight boxes they found 721 ballots written by two or three persons.
W.J. Bryan had a three-hour conference with Alton B. Parker in New York, and explained some of the causes leading to the defeat of the democrats in the presidential election.
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75 Years Ago - 1930
The Lavaca post office has been discontinued by the postal department, effective February 1st. Mrs. Adolph Ehlers, who has been postmistress, recently resigned and none could be found who wished to handle the work. The route will not be affected, however, as the carrier will go over the same road on his way to Lund. Those people whose address is now Lavaca will, in the future, have Gordon as their post office.
Vern M. Hyatt, sought since he is alleged to have threatened the life of Sheriff Bruce of Rushville about two months ago while escaping custody, was arrested late Sunday night at St. James, Missouri, according to word received by State Sheriff Condit on Monday. Condit said Hyatt will be brought back here to face a charge of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. He said also that federal officers are holding a warrant charging Hyatt with violation of the Dyer act. Hyatt is said to have drawn a loaded pistol while on his way to jail with Sheriff Bruce. Though he made no attempt to shoot the officer, he threatened the life of Sheriff Bruce if he attempted to block his escape, it is charged.
Twin babies were born to Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Jacobson on Friday, January 24th, but the little son was taken by the Master, while the sweet daughter was left to comfort her parents. Interment of the deceased was made in the city cemetery on Saturday.
George Brewer has opened a neighborhood grocery in the west part of the city.
Through the generosity of Raymond Versaw, son of Charles Versaw, the Kiwanis Club was served with a venison dinner Wednesday. Raymond is a pretty young sportsman to bag a deer, but he is a mighty good shot.
Word was received here this week to the effect that the Jack Moreland home near Martin had burned to the ground on one of the coldest days during the recent cold spell. Mrs. Moreland and sons suffered considerably from the cold when they were fighting the fire with water which froze on their clothes. Gordon friends are sorry to hear of this.
Raleigh Barker of Denby has installed electric lights in his store and residence.
Luschei’s store, next to the post office, is offering the following cold cereals at 2 for 25c: Puffed Wheat, Post Bran, Post Toasties, Shredded Wheat, Muffets, Rice Crispies, Wheat Krumbles and Raisin Bran. Grape Nuts and Puffed Rice are 2 for 35c. Also offered for 2 for 25c price are No. 2 cans of corn, peas and tomatoes. Free delivery service every day.
Mr. and Mrs. John Telefaro of Batesland entertained Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Krause at a goose dinner Thursday in honor of Mr. Telefaro’s birthday.
To know that the world is small, come to the edge of the Pacific and talk to New York friends as easily as though they were in the same room. Or call London and talk, unconscious of the fact that your voice, transformed into an electric impulse, flashes across the Atlantic Ocean in less than a sixteenth of a second through the other. Next, to realize that the world, this country especially, is big, explore the map on your railroad time table and look for Tucson, Arizona. You find it a couple of inches away from Los Angeles, and decide to drive there some afternoon to investigate the much praised climate. You discover that the distance is 700 miles and decide to take a train that makes the trip in one night.
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OBITUARY:Neva Grace Hughes was born in Kearney, Nebr. on August 4th, 1916, and passed away in Gordon, Nebr., January 24th, 1930, having reached the age of 13 years, 5 months and 23 days. She came with her parents to Gordon when but a small child and has since resided here. She leaves to mourn her passing, her mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Lewis, and two brothers, Shirley and William Hughes. Her father, Jay Hughes, preceded her in death on August 2, 1921. The funeral service was held at the First Presbyterian Church on Monday afternoon with Rev. Fenton Jones in charge, and interment was made in the city cemetery. The Boy Scout Patrol acted as pall-bearers and the girls of her class formed a guard of honor.
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50 Years Ago - 1955
The City Auditorium resounded with the throb of the tom-tom Saturday night, when some 300 of Gordon’s Indian population staged their first dance of its kind in the city. Also present were groups from the reservation. While modern American dress predominated, a number of older Indians were in full tribal regalia. Prominent among these were Ben American Horse and another elderly chieftain of 85 winters or so, whose agility and tireless participation outlasted many of the younger generation. The dance was held in the basement of the building, but another similar event is planned for Feb. 11 and will take place in the main auditorium, when balcony seats will be available to spectators. The affair was a benefit, the proceeds going to one of their race who is ill and in straitened circumstances.
Kenneth Roth, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hull; James Myers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Robertson; and Bob Mershon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Utterback, have enlisted in the navy and are stationed at Great Lakes, Ill. The boys went to Scottsbluff on Jan. 19 for IQ tests, followed by physicals at Denver, Colo. They went directly from Denver to the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes for their training.
Mr. and Mrs. Folsom Gates are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Carmen Sue to Walter H. Birkby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kruger. No date has been set for the wedding.
Mrs. Betty Jo Alexander entertained on Wednesday, Jan. 26, honoring the third birthday of her daughter, Jeanne. The guest list included Gary Haller, Mark and Kim Alexander, Claudia Bachmann, Janet Malone, Kathy Jacobson and Troy Trueblood.
Bob Chamberlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Chamberlin of Gordon, who is attending Wesleyan University at Lincoln, has been named secretary of the Crescent fraternity.
Births at Gordon Memorial Hospital were those to:
*Mr. and Mrs. Bob Loran, of Ellsworth, a son, Casey Eugene, born January 29, 1955.*Mr. and Mrs. John Radcliff, a daughter, Rhonda Lu, born January 30, 1955.
*Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Van Briggle, a son, Michael Kent, born January 31, 1955.
*Mr. and Mrs. David Whitney, a son, Franklin Scott, born February 2, 1955.
Pleasant Hill News Items.
Wanda and Terry Peters and Dick Roth attended the toboggan party of the Methodist and Presbyterian you fellowships Sunday at the Allen Parkers.Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Kling were hosts at a pinochle party Saturday night.
Pleasant Hill school news:
Marilyn Johnson and Candy Hull celebrated their birthdays on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Arthur Johnson came to school with his big sled and jalopy and took all of the children sleigh riding. Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Johnson served refreshments following the sleigh ride. Those neither absent nor tardy the first semester were Kathryn Hardin, Larry Turnbull, Patsy Jo Peters, Linda Turnbull and Melvin Forster.Obituary:
Charles Calvin Clark was born in Story county, Iowa, Febr. 11, 1874, and died Jan. 28, 1955 at the West Nebraska General hospital in Scottsbluff, Nebr. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Clark of Gordon. He had three brothers, Guy, Davin and William, all of whom have preceded him in death; also three sisters, of whom only Mayme Morton of Alhambra, Calif., survives. When a small child, his family moved from Wisconsin to Gordon, Nebr., where he resided until 1908 when he entered the Indian service. He was married to Elizabeth McCollister in 1916. Surviving are his beloved wife; one sister, three step-children, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two nephews, three nieces and a host of friends.25 Years Ago - 1980
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Coon, Mrs. Jean Coon, and Mrs. Lucille Vaughn were at the Parkview Lodge nursing home in Rushville Sunday to help Faye Coon to celebrate her 90th birthday. Mrs. Bob Coon had baked a birthday cake for Mrs. Coon, and the other residents joined them for cake and ice cream.
A highlight of the Christmas season took place Saturday evening, Dec. 29, 1979, when Miss Jacqueline Jean Mills, daughter of Mrs. Ralph Kilcoin, Gordon and the late Jack W. Mills, became the bride of Danny Ray Kling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Kling of Gordon. The bride was escorted to the altar by her step-father, Mr. Kilcoin. Mrs. Kling is a graduate of Gordon High School and the University of Nebraska. Her husband, also a graduate of Gordon High School and the University of Nebraska. After a honeymoon in the mountains of Colorado, the newlyweds are at home in Gordon.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cramblet were in Hay Springs last week to celebrate the 90th birthday of her father, Melvin Green, at Pioneer Manor. Also there were his sisters, Mary Lecher and Darlene Davis of Chadron.
BIRTHS at the Gordon Memorial Hospital this week were those of babies born to:
*George and Marcie Janis, Pine Ridge, S.D., a daughter, born January 23, 1980.*Don and Kathy Glassgow, Lakeside, a daughter, born January 23, 1980.
* Ronald and Judith Dorsey, Gordon, a daughter, born January 27, 1980.
The first meeting of the Pleasant Hill Busy Bees 4-H club was held on Jan 20th at the Pleasant Hill school. Two new members will join this year; Chuck Dragoo and Crysta Faulk. The election of officers was held. New officers are Rick Burleigh, president; Mike Mulcahy, vice-president; Deneen Lee, secretary; Jennifer Mulcahy, treasurer; Valerie Johnson, news reporter; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Burleigh, new leaders, and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Dragoo, assistant leaders.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiggs McKinnon visited Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Kling of Alliance on Saturday evening. While there Mr. McKinnon attended a father-daughter banquet. On Sunday the Eugene Klings and the Jiggs McKinnon were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hahn at Martin, S.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Orville Ostrander of rural Rushville and Mr. and Mrs. James Hargroves of rural Bozeman, Montana, announce the engagement of their children, Marlene Flora Ostrander and Rex Audie Wickman. The bride elect was graduated from Gordon High School and is currently employed at Duttery’s Food Center in the shopping mall at Bozeman. Her fiance attended Bozeman High School and is presently employed by Con-Agra at Bozeman.
OBITUARIES:
William Roland Annett was born Feb. 5, 1885. He received his formal education at Galena school and Highland Park College, Des Moines, Iowa. He came to northwest Nebraska in 1904. In 1909 he moved to Gordon where he worked as a clerk and bookkeeper at The Fair store, owned by the Mills family. Also working at The Fair was Nelle Brewer, to whom he was married in 1911. Death came to Mr. Annett at the Park View nursing home in Rushville on Jan. 24, 1980. Services were held at the Gordon Methodist church on Jan. 28, and interment was in the Gordon cemetery. He is survived by his wife Nelle; two sons, Thomas G. and William R. Jr. (president of Annett Ford, Inc.), all of Gordon; sister-in-law Margaret Annett of LaCrosse, Wisc.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.----------------------------------------
Edward Joseph Riordan of Ellsworth, was born Aug. 16, 1910, at Beaver Crossing and died Jan. 15, 1980 at the West Nebraska General hospital in Scottsbluff. He had resided in the Ellsworth area for the past 20 years and worked at the Spade ranch as a carpenter and painter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Riordan and Nellie McGuane Riordan; one brother and one sister. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Lawrence Bixby of Ellsworth. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 18, at the St. Joseph’s Gerontology chapel with the Rev. Gerald Harr officiating. Burial was in the Calvary cemetery in Alliance with the Bates-Lands Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 19:59:50 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
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