Echoes July 21, 2004: Sheridan Co. NE GenWeb

Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
July 21, 2004
columns by Helen Selee

Echoes Page July 21 04

100 Years Ago - 1904

Four Indians belonging to the first Buffalo Bill contingent returned from the Phoenix Hospital, Maywood, Ill., last Monday, where they have been for some three months, recovering from the results of the railroad wreck they were in. Their names are Goose Face, High Bear, Mrs. High Bear and Kills Twice. They returned in a special coach and were accompanied by a special nurse.

The latest surprise is that Miss Sarah Freese was married last spring during her vacation at Bismark, N.Dak., to Mr. Marshall M. Huff, of Company I, 21st U.S. Infantry, stationed at Fort Lincoln, North Dakota. The Recorder extends congratulations, which we might have done sooner, had we known it. However, we must admit we know at least one lady who can keep a secret, for a while anyway. It is to be hoped that Mrs. Huff will not be huffy when she reads this.
----Rushville Recorder

Thomas Wamsley, who lives twelve miles south of Gordon, was in the office last Saturday. Mr. Wamsley came to Nebraska three years ago and traded a fine 140 acre farm in southeastern Kansas for the half section where he now lives. He was scoffed at for making so foolish a trade and his neighbors told him he would starve to death up here in the desert. Both himself and his wife were troubled with ague until their bones would rattle every spring down in Kansas and they came up here in quest of health. They found it. Nary a chill have either of them had since locating here and the rheumatics are gradually dying out. They have made money also, and would not trade their half section of "desert" and health for the whole of southern Kansas and her ague.

ALEX WALLACE
Death again invades the home of S.T. Wallace, this time to claim his son Alex. During the last ten years this family has surely suffered at the hands of the grim reaper.
Alex Wallace was born at Melbourne, Iowa, on Aug. 17, 1884, therefore almost twenty years of age at his demise. He spent his youth in this neighborhood, his parents having moved to Sheridan county in the fall of 1884. Last year he was at Hay Springs and when John Wilhite moved to Atkinson, Alex soon followed to enter his employ. Eight days before his death, Alex secured employment in a hardware store at that place.
A week ago Wednesday, he with three other young men decided to go swimming in the Elkhorn River. The water was high on account of a freshet and the sluices being opened, a whirlpool formed just below it. Here it was where death overcame him. His companions heard a cry and started to his rescue, but the whirlpool seized him and tended to draw him and his friends under. After a little struggle, his companions had to release their holds to save themselves, and Alex Wallace sank to a watery grave. Kind and willing hands did all in their power to save him, but when his body was recovered, he had crossed the river to join mother, brothers and sisters on the other shore. His body was brought to Gordon Friday and funeral services conducted at the M.E. church by Rev. Scamahorn who drew an impressive lesson from an end so sudden, a life so brief. He was laid to rest by the side of his mother who preceded him ten years since. Relatives of the deceased have the sincerest sympathy of this community in their latest bereavement.

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Mrs. E.N. Critenden and Ethel Wallace arrived from Lincoln Friday to attend the funeral of their brother, Alex Wallace.

Miss Anna Margrave has been appointed and has accepted the position in the Bellevue Academy as teacher of Latin and mathematics. Miss Margrave is a graduate of Gordon high school and also of Bellevue college. This comes as a recognition of her ability.

Mr. John Wilson went to Bassett and on Wednesday evening was married to Mable Thompkins. They will reside at Bellwood where John is principal of the schools for next year. The Journal congratulates this worthy couple.

Great excitement was caused Tuesday about two o’clock when the Hose company was called out by the fire bell. When the firefighters arrived at the scene they found the fire nearly extinguished by Del Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Jones, as it happened to be in the alley adjoining J.C. Jordan’s barn and the Jones’ residence. The origin of the fire is a mystery but is supposed to have resulted from a careless combination of a boy and a cigarette.

Mrs. J.A. Mosberger, who has been visiting her mother and sisters, the DeFrances, left for her home in Lincoln on Thursday.

John Wilhite, who has been visiting his parents and renewing old acquaintances for several days this week, returned to his home at Atkinson where he is in the hotel business. We are pleased to note that he likes the place and is doing well.

Rev. Grant Wilkinson, who was sent to Puerto Rico as a missionary, arrived in Gordon Tuesday and is now staying with his parents. While he was in Puerto Rico, he became the victim of a peculiar malady which necessitates his return to the States. As a result of this disease, he lost his skin, hair, nails and whiskers and was unable to sleep for fifteen days. He went to the Hot Springs, where he was relieved somewhat, gaining ten pounds in weight but finally thought this climate would be more beneficial to him. At present he will seek relief in a course of Osteopathic treatment by Dr. Jones.

The stork left a girl baby at the home of C.M. Rebbeck Tuesday night. The next time Charlie comes to town, we expect him to have a box of cigars along.

Sam Joice returned yesterday morning from his eastern trip. He visited Omaha, St. Louis and other eastern points during his three weeks absence.

C.H. Taylor, a business man of Lyons, Nebr. was in this vicinity Wednesday looking for a location.

Mrs. Fred Hoyt went to Rushville Friday where she was joined by her husband the following evening. They returned Monday morning, having visited at Hay Springs Sunday.

Miss Josie Babby who lives on the White Clay is at present employed as a nurse for Mrs. L. Burroughs.

A new cause for divorce has been developed. In Racine, Wis., Mrs. Mattie Spaulding was granted a divorce by Judge Belden on the ground that her husband forced her to cook a house cat insisting it to be a rabbit.

At Lincoln three religious organizations are fighting for a crowd on the same corner. The Volunteers have thus far succeeded but as the fight will be kept up all summer, the outcome is prophetical. The Salvation Army, the Volunteers of America, and the Ministerial Association are the ones concerned.

Lots in the St. Elmo town site were sold last week like hot cakes. This is a new town site in the Northwest extension survey out from Bonesteel. The town will have a newspaper, bank, post office and other business places. It already desires to become the county seat.

Paul Kruger, former president of the South African Republic, died at Clarens, Switzerland, July 14. Forced to live in exile from the country he once ruled, and though affectionately called "Oom Paul" the world over, yet he was an unfortunate and pathetic ruler. He was first elected president of the Transvaal in 1883, being one of those who annihilated the British forces on Majula Hill. Standing at the head of Transvaal affairs, loved by his people, respected by the world, this quaint old man was compelled to flee from his native land.

75 Years Ago - 1929

A heavy rain and hail storm caused considerable damage to crops about six miles west of Rushville last Saturday afternoon. The hail took a strip about a mile wide and literally tore the corn to pieces, and battered fields of small grain until the loss will be quite heavy. Friday of last week proved to be the hottest day of the summer thus far, the mercury soaring to 95 degrees. With plenty of moisture and sunshine the crops in this section of the state appear to be in exceptionally good shape for this time of year.

Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Mills received the sad news on Wednesday afternoon of the death of Mrs. C.L. Sturdevant at Atkinson. Mrs. Sturdevant was the wife of Dr. C.L. Sturdevant and formerly lived in Gordon. Mr. and Mrs. Mills left Thursday morning for Atkinson to attend the funeral.

Glen Lockmon of Rushville and Miss Gladys Fitch of Hot Springs were issued a license to wed Saturday by Mrs. Paul Richer, deputy clerk of courts. Mrs. Lockmon formerly in Gordon and has many friends here who wish them much happiness in their married life.

Pearl Hyland, well known baseball pitcher and one of the most popular players ever to play in Gordon, was issued a marriage license at Alliance on Saturday of last week. The license was issued to Mr. Hyland and Miss Gladys M. Roth of Hemingford.

Miss Alice Davis gave a party last Sunday at the Dutch Mill Tea Room in honor of Forrest Brown’s birthday. Guests were the Misses Helen and Wren Gilkerson and Messrs. Reynold Nelson, Forrest Brown and Mac Monhiem of Rapid City.

Mrs. Will Metzger, who was very painfully injured in an automobile accident the first of the month, is recovering nicely. Mary Frances Metzger had her hand cut badly at the same time and is also improving nicely.

Vida Leeper, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Roy Spangler, returned home the first of the week. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Spangler and Mrs. Ida Spangler spent Saturday in Gordon.

Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Clark left Tuesday for Hot Springs to spend the week and attend the Water Carnival and race meet.

A demonstration of Ethyl gasoline will be given at the Holsinger Service Station on Tuesday of next week, to which the public has been invited.

Carl Paulson, while working at the Metzger ranch, badly dislocated his ankle one day last week. He is at the Bevie Hummel home in Gordon receiving medical care.

The 7-year old son of B.P. Madison had his toe nearly torn off on Friday when it caught in a barb wire fence. Several stitches were taken in it.

Miss Wanda Tranmer returned home from Chadron on Wednesday night, having completed her work at the summer session of the normal.

The Gordon Produce company shipped in a carload of water-melons this week. This is the first carload of melons to be received in Gordon this year. They will wholesale them out to stores in and near Gordon.

Mrs. William Burke was in from the farm on Friday and spent the day with her mother, Mrs. Maggie Reeves.

W.G. Moss and sons, Jim and Tarz, and Jean Jenkins and Gene Bowers were fishing at Gay Lake on Sunday.

Mrs. D.H. Gardner of Merriman had her tonsils removed Wednesday morning.

Mrs. E. Shepardson of Denby gave a birthday party on July 10 for her son, Lloyd.

Days of Slow Travel
Traveling certainly had its drawbacks 125 years ago. A person desiring to go from New York city to Buffalo must first wait for several days until a sailing vessel left for Albany. The trip required from two to five days, depending on conditions. At Albany the passenger took a stage coach and rode overland to Schenectady, 17 miles, where he could get an occasional boat on the Mohawk river. The trip required another week, sometimes more. From Utica to Oswego it was possible to get a boat for Lewiston, from where the rest of the journey was by stage. The whole journey, with good connections, required about a month. [*A total of 372 miles]

John Borders of Inman, Nebr., arrived at the home of his parents on Friday afternoon, returning home on Saturday, accompanied by his niece, Frances Devine. Ralph Devine and Ralph, from the Carson ranch, were calling at the Borders home Thursday.

Paul Metzger of Merriman was in Gordon the last of the week on business and visiting old friends. He graduated from the local high school in 1928 and attended the state university last year.

Forrest Johnson went to Jay Wm, Wyo., on Wednesday to visit relatives and to accompany his wife and children home.

Quartus Skinner was called to Loveland, Colo., the first of the week to attend the funeral of a nephew, Clyde Smith.

Ralph Heywood of San Francisco, Calif., arrived in Gordon for a visit with Mrs. Bevy Hummel, his sister, and other relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hull and Gordon went to Rochester on Friday of last week to consult Mayo Brothers concerning Mr. Hull’s health.

Mrs. A.J. Heeftle and children left Wednesday for a visit with her father, Mr. Miller, and her sister, Mrs. Sadie Jones, of White Clay. Mr. Heeftle will drive to White Clay after them on Sunday.

50 Years Ago - 1954

A long-delayed rain--with interest--fell in the Gordon area Monday night, dumping some 3.60 inches of rain on the town and parched countryside. The worst damage from the rain was at Gordon Memorial hospital where water gushed into the basement, completely splintering the door to the boiler room which filled to a height of about 5 ½ feet of water. About a foot of water was placed on the kitchen and laundry floor, but by 6 a.m. Mrs. Robert Wilber had cleaned the kitchen and had prepared breakfast for 21 patients.

With nine first placings, Mrs. Thomas Cushing took top honors as well as sweepstakes prize at the second annual flower show held at the city auditorium July 17th. Second place went to Mrs. Chris Holzberger with eight blue ribbons, and third place went to Mrs. Harold Thompson with firsts in five classes. Jean Williams was awarded first prize in the junior division.

A blaze ignited by the backfire of a truck burned over some five or six acres of winter wheat Friday afternoon at the Milbert Holzberger farm 12 miles northwest of Gordon. Mr. Holzberger’s combine crew had the fire out before the firemen could get there. About 12:30 p.m. Monday the fire truck was summoned to the William Fucsher ranch 30 miles southeast of Gordon where lightning had set fire to a pasture. The firemen were intercepted at the Ed Musfelt place, however, as ranch employees aided by neighbors were able to extinguish the blaze.

*Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hesseltine are the parents of a daughter, Terry Kay, born July 14, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Jack Knudtson are the parents of a son, Clive Richard, born July 17, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kleist are the parents of a son, Thomas William, born July 20, 1954.

OBITUARIES
Christian Friedrich Holzberger, 3rd child of Christian Holzberger and Louis nee Schneider, was born at Lawrenceville, Ind. on April 12, 1873, and died of a severe heart attack on July 6, 1954 in Gordon at the age of 81. On Nov. 14, 1916, he was united in marriage with Alvina Krueger at Sleepy Eye, Minn. This union was blessed with two sons and one daughter. He was laid to rest in the Gordon cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peters on Monday took Wanda to Scottsbluff where she joined the Towner family going on to Champaign, Ill. to attend the Presbyterian youth synod. Wanda returned home last Wednesday.

25 Years Ago - 1979

The Tom Cobb ranch along the Niobrara river southeast of Merriman was the scene of the wedding of Carol McCrory and Steve Moreland. This event took place June 23, 1979, at 8 a.m. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Royal McGaughey and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Moreland, all of Merriman. The Rev. Tom Cobb performed the marriage before about 275 guests. The reception was held immediately following and at the same riverside setting. It was served from an authentic chuck wagon box. After a honeymoon trip to the mountains of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, the couple is ranching south of Merriman.

Joella Margrave of California was a visitor in Gordon a few days last week. She flew to Arizona in June where she attended the wedding of Julie Margrave on June 21st. She then flew to Denver where the P.H. Waddill family held a reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hlava Sr., of Gordon, attended the reunion and Joella returned to Gordon with them. They visited with the Kenny George Tausan family at Sutherland on their way home. The Hlavas took Joella to Rapid City where she will spend some time with the Barry Tausans before returning home to Rio Vista, Calif.

The Extension Community Chapel of White Clay was the scene of the wedding on June 1 of Kimberly Burton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Burton and Ronald Denton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Denton, all of Rushville. After a honeymoon trip to the Black Hills, the couple is now at home north of Rushville on the ranch of the groom’s father.

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Hull, Ty and Jay of Chadron were guests Sunday at the C.C. Hull home to celebrate Terry’s birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Bussinger announce the marriage plans of their daughter Jamalee to Randy Stone, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Stone. The bride-elect will be a junior at Chadron State College, majoring in math and natural science and her fiance is employed with Burlington Northern Railroad. An Aug. 11 wedding at the United Methodist Church is being planned.
The engagement of Miss Sherry Hubbard, daughter of Mrs. Alvin Hubbard and the late Mr. Hubbard of Overton, and Nick Gehrt, son of Mrs. Albert Gehrt Jr. and the late Mr. Gehrt is being announced by their parents. Miss Hubbard is employed by Tri=County hospital and Mr. Gehrt is employed by Sperry New Holland in Lexington. An Aug. 17 wedding is planned at the First Christian church in Lexington.

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