Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Feb 19, 2004
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1904
The Journal has already been criticized for what it said two weeks ago about building a court house. We have been accused of “turning over to Rushville,” but we have “turned over” to nothing. We simply believe that every county ought to have a place to transact its business, and it so is that Rushville is the county seat, and if a court house is built it will, of course, be built there. We have been told by as many as three that if we go ahead and favor a court house that there will be a “clique” there that will turn over nearly everything of the newspaper patronage to the county seat papers, and while we don’t doubt it at all, it has been that way most of the last 17 years just the same without any court house. Some think that to buy the old court house and fix it up some, is plenty good enough. We can’t all think alike. We have our opinions and preferences in the matter and will express them. The columns of this paper are open for others to do the same. We have thought the matter over, and there have not appeared to us sufficient reasons for opposing of building a court house in this county. We have generally had our heavy guns pointed at Rushville, but we can’t rustle up sufficient grievances against that town to oppose building a court house.
Miss Alice Harbert, whose parents live northwest of Gordon, died Tuesday afternoon, Febr. 16th. She had been in poor health several years.
While a couple children named Lester were playing in the fire during the absence of their mother at Cody last week, the clothing of the younger [about three years old] caught fire, and the child was burned so badly that death took place very soon.
The naval battles between Japan and Russia seem to have escalated to the point that a battle on land is expected hourly. Japan has appealed to the United States to prevail on the Russian government to release the 100 Japanese subjects reported detained at Port Arthur. Reports from Yokohama say that the four Russian cruisers which sunk the Arouar Maru had first appeared in the Tsugaru strait on the 11th, escorting a transport from Vladivostock. Another steamer, the Zeensho Maru also met the Russian cruisers, but escaped from them. Great indignation is felt in Japan over the sinking of a commercial steamer, and it is believed to be a violation of the laws of warfare. Japanese troops are reported to have landed 12,000 strong at Dove Bay last Wednesday and to have been repulsed by Russians in a hand-to-hand fight. Cossacks put 410 of a landing party of 600 Japanese to death by the sword at Talienwan. War seems inevitable, and President Roosevelt continues to believe the United States can remain neutral.
One of the officers of the battleship Missouri, which has been engaged in target practice off the Chesapeake capes, came to the navy department with a remarkable statement. He said that one of the twelve-inch guns, being elevated seven degrees, let fly a shell which the strongest field glass could not follow to the end of its flight. Later a passing steamer reported that the shot had struck the sea within 300 yards of her. The steamer was distant just fifteen miles at the time.
As a consequence of the famine times, Stockholm legislators proposed a tax upon all persons weighing more than one hundred and twenty-five pounds.
By a bill which passed the Kentucky legislature, co-education in Kentucky must cease. It remains only for the governor to sign the measure to make it a law, and then Berea College, one of the most famous educational institutions in that part of the country, must pass out of existence.
Dr. Brown, after remaining in Gordon only a few days, concluded to move to Valentine and took his departure Wednesday morning. We are sorry he left so soon, for the people had not had sufficient notice that they might get sick to try a new doctor.
W.C. Whitney, who died after an operation for appendicitis, is probably not receiving much consolation from the surgeon’s statement that the operation was a success.
In New York, on Feb. 13, at a mass meeting of Japanese and Americans, held at Carnegie Hall, and presided over by Consul General Uchida, the latter announced that efforts would be made to raise $5 million to aid the Japanese. Owing to President Roosevelt’s neutrality proclamation, all American subscriptions will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
At the meeting held in Rushville Monday, at which persons from all parts of the county had been requested to be present, there was a good crowd in attendance and much interest manifested. It appeared from the financial condition reports of the county, that the county has, after deducting bonds and outstanding warrants, and allowing ample amounts for expenses for the balance of the year, fully $20,000 that can be expended in building a court house. So a motion unanimously passed the meeting that the persons present were in favor of the county commissioners calling a special election to submit to the voters the proposition of authorizing them to use $20,000 in building a court house in the county. We have heard some objection to calling a special election, but if by so doing the court house can be built the coming season, a year’s rent will be saved and consequently nothing lost to the county. A good feeling prevailed and nothing occurred to jar the harmony of the meeting. It has been talked around here that “Rushville ought to furnish the site” and a number of the leading citizens agreed that it will be provided free of expense to the county.
Frank Sailor had the misfortune last week to fall from a scaffold on the Swigert building and seriously injure a foot.
Lost---Near the post office, a pocket-book containing $1.80, a meal ticket and two tickets to the Reno Novelty Company show to be at the Swigert opera house next Wednesday evening. Finder can keep the pocketbook and money but he will please return the two show tickets as I can’t afford to miss this show.
E.A. Waterman and wife have moved into the Joice property, just south of the home of ye editor.
The Journal this week printed a neat and complete telephone directory which are being distributed to the telephone patrons with the compliments of Dr. Dwyer and J.S. Saults. It is something that has been needed for some time and no doubt is much appreciated.75 Years Ago - 1929
The conviction and death sentence of Henry Sherman, who killed three members of the Roger Ponchon family last May 18th, was affirmed by the supreme court in an opinion handed down Monday morning. May 31st is the date set for execution. His appeal was taken to the supreme court on the ground that Sherman was insane. In its decision the court said, “If the extreme penalty is ever justified, it seems to us that the facts here warrant it. The defendant planned the killing, knew what he was doing when he committed the acts, and knew that the act was wrong. Mere atrocity does not, of itself, prove a disordered mind.” Sherman confessed to killing Mr. Roger Ponchon, his pregnant wife and his mother, and savagely beating the Ponchon baby, who survived.
Jim Moss was the first person to report seeing the first robins this spring, he having seen two in a tree on the Joe Leedom lawn. We are glad to know that someone thinks Spring is on the way, for with the recent cold snaps, it is hard to believe it.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Beavers of Batesland are the parents of a baby girl born last week.
Bobby Sandage, son of Herman Sandage, enrolled Monday as a first grader in the Pleasant Hill school. They are living on the Bank’s place recently purchased by Russell Sandage.
It is reported that several parts of town are without water, due to frozen water mains.
Mrs. Martha Johnson Jr., entertained a number of little girls for her daughter, Ardath Kirkman, on last Saturday afternoon at a Valentine party.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Christenson are the parents of a baby girl born Feb. 19th. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson live on the D. Smith farm near Albany.
Bruce Wyckoff entertained a number of little friends at his home last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being his sixth birthday. The afternoon was spent in playing games, after which Mrs. Wyckoff served a lunch and the birthday cake.
Mrs. Leonard Scott entertained a number of friends at her farm home on last Friday evening at a shower honoring Miss Gertie Mae Burke, whose marriage will occur in the near future. The evening was spent playing bridge, two tables being arranged for the guests. A two-course luncheon was served at the close of the evening. The guests were: Lennis Secrest, Sarah Jane O’Rourke, Martha Fickle, Dorothy Fickle, Mrs. Joe Troxel, Addie Young, Marjorie Boyles and Gertie Mae Burke.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Versaw and son have again moved into their property in east Gordon, recently occupied by Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Fairbrother.
Miss Hazel Forster gave a surprise party and dinner for her brother, Ralph, it being his seventeenth birthday. There was a large number of people present.
With the advent of Max Gardner Gates, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Folsom Gates, there are now four living generations in this family. They are the great-grandfather, C.S. Gates, the grandfather, Newton S. Gates, the father, Folsom Gates, and the young man himself. The youngster is also well supplied with great-grandparents, having living, C.S. Gates, Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Folsom and Mr. and Mrs. Hedges of Lincoln, parents of Mrs. Folsom Gates.
Mrs. Ira Holsinger left on the 3 o’clock train Wednesday morning for Ainsworth, where she will attend the American Legion Auxiliary district convention.
Mrs. Clyde Ranck has taken charge of the Independent Filling Station recently purchased from W.E. Schlensig and is ready for business. She has an advertisement in this issue.
Harvey Jones, who has been having a long siege of quinsy, has returned to his work at the Walrath and Sherwood Lumber Company. [*2004..Quinsy is listed in the dictionary as: inflammation of the throat, or an earlier term for tonsillitis.]
Richard Johnson had a piece of bone removed from his arm last week by a local physician.
Mrs. George Lefler, of Batesland, gave a birthday party Saturday afternoon in honor of her daughter, Betty Marie. A good time was enjoyed by all the little folk present. At 5 o’clock, ice cream and cake were served.
The home of Will Annett is quarantined this week for scarlet fever, their little son Billy having contracted the disease.
Joe Kent was five years old Tuesday and to celebrate the event his mother entertained a number of little friends. Games were played and a lunch with the birthday cake as the chief attraction was served.
Clifford Leggett and Rodney Day had real good luck Sunday on their trip to Chadron; all they did was to break two front wheels and freeze up the water pipes.
Last week some of the men who were interested in getting a calf club started at Gordon drove to the Star Ranch south of Rushville and picked out seven calves. Mr. Musser of Rushville was very interested in the move. The boys who received the calves have Mr. Musser to thank for letting them have the pick of the herd at a very fair price. This makes a total of 11 calves in the project and it would be fine if the boys could organize a club. The following boys have baby beef calves: Buster Webster, Glen Webster, Lyle Gealy, Merritt Diehl, David Reed, LaVern Harder, Gilbert Steinhaus, Henry Coon, Junior Johndreau, William Goodfellow and Theran Morgan.
Mr. and Mrs. Shultz of Clinton were Monday evening visitors at the Lyon home. They are outfitting a band of 21 Indians to go to Europe, to be gone for a year. We understand that Mrs. Shultz is the champion woman lasso thrower of the world.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Magowan and Ross Magowan went to Hay Springs on Friday of last week to attend the funeral of their uncle, Ed Magowan. Mr. Magowan was an old settler of Sheridan county, having lived here for the past 40 years.
T.L. French from Lincoln, who was in Gordon last week, had dinner with Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Huckfeldt. Mr. French was in Gordon in the interest of the extension service and is conducting a campaign against smut.Old Gang Caught
On last Saturday evening, Feb. 16, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Niels Peterson, Ed T. Ross and Niels Peterson were caught celebrating their birthdays at a 6 o’clock dinner by the following members of the “Old Gang”: I.S. Magowan, H.C. Morris, Fay Hill, Mr. McElroy, William Coon, E.B. Ferris and Frank Smith, Sr.
Last Thursday at Martin, S.D., occurred the marriage of Adrian Lovelady and Florence Thompson. They are at the café. Mr. Lovelady is employed at the Auto Service garage.
Bill Abbott, who has been employed at the Berryman ranch for the past two years, has resigned and moved the family into one of the bungalows in Irwin so the children might have better school advantages. Bill will assist with the trapping at the Selby ranch for a few weeks.
Frank Fowler shipped a car of fat hogs to Omaha on Saturday. His father, George Fowler, went with the shipment.
Archie Green Was dropped from the Sixth Grade, B room, last week. He has gone to Canon City, Colo. His brother Harry Green was dropped from the 5th grade rolls. Ruby Fair had a birthday Tuesday. The children sang the birthday song and gave her the customary spanking. Beulah Shearer’s mother visited the second grade last week.50 Years Ago - 1954
The interior of the new ranch-type home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Landis (Bonnie Fuchser) under construction in Gordon Heights was extensively damaged by heat and smoke in a fire that was discovered early Friday morning. Apparently having smoldered for some hours, the fire burst into full flames when a painter, Don Benson, going to work at 8 a.m. opened the door admitting oxygen. Benson quickly closed the door and summoned the dire department who brought the blaze under control within about 20 minutes. The house was almost ready for occupancy, the family prepared to move in as soon as decorators finished their work.
Lester Jensen, with eight years of law enforcement experience, this week accepted a position with the Gordon Police Depart-ment. Jensen comes here from Chadron where he has served efficiently in a like capacity. The new officer is married and has two children, Lorraine Kay 7 and Tommy 4.
Hildred Bressler, of the Cheerful Workers 4H club, Gordon, speaking on “Round Pegs in Round Holes” was named winner and awarded the purple ribbon in the girl’s division of the district 4H Timely Topic speaking contest, held Tuesday in Alliance. Hildred is Gordon’s second winner in district speech competition. Jeanne Dohse carried off honors in 1950 with her topic, Origin of 4H Clubs.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Leavitt announce the engagement of their daughter, Dorothy to Leo Evans, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jule Evans of Gordon. No date has been set for the wedding.
Miss Margaret Ruth Rash, Gordon, became the bride of Robert E. Nyffler at a ceremony performed Feb. 11, 1954, in Rapid City, S.D. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rash of Gordon. The groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bennie B. Nyffler of Rushville. The newlyweds will make their home on a farm north of Rushville.
The Methodist church at Merriman was the scene of the Sunday, Febr. 7, wedding of Miss Veda Pearl Whitcomb, daughter of Mrs. Lola Whitcomb of Merriman, and Mack Dale Galloway, son of Mrs. Dean Wedgewood, Grand Island. One hundred and forty guests were present. Mrs. Galloway was graduated from the Gordon high school with the class of 1949, and is at present teaching her third term of school. Mr. Galloway attended the Merriman high school, and is self employed as a barber in Merriman. They will make their home in Merriman upon their return from their wedding trip.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Spangler were pleasantly surprised Tuesday evening, Febr. 9th, when neighbors gathered at their home southeast of Gordon, with lunch and a three-tier wedding cake, to help them celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler were presented a silver server and a carving set in the Spring Garden pattern.25 Years Ago - 1979
Ken Gibson was honored by his peers as Fireman of the Year for 1978 at the annual Valentine banquet. Four firemen were honored for 25 years of service or more. They are Harold Dohse 30 years, 9 months; Willard Keller, 26 years, three months; Jim Wheeler, 26 years, 3 months; and Jim Kamerzell, 25 years 5 months. Ken Gibson was presented with a plaque, and the other four received watches inscribed with service record.
Cub Scout Pack 199 held its annual Pinewood Derby, with the following winners: Heath Merchen - 1st place; Jimmy Forster, 2nd place and best of show car; Tanner Schllentz, 3rd place and best built car; Grant Hutchins, 4th place; Chris Sanders - hard luck award; Troy Butler, wackiest car award, and Brent Walker, best paint job.
Kim Prusia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Prusia of Gordon, has been initiated into Kappa chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Her activities include: vice-president of the physical therapy club and assistant social chairman of the Delta Delta Delta.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 19:59:53 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
© 2004 Sheridan Co. NEGenWeb