June 9, 2004 Echoes: Sheridan Co. NE GenWeb

Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
June 9, 2004
columns by Helen Selee

100 Years Ago - 1904
The social function of the season occurred at the MWA hall in Merriman Saturday evening, when the Modern Woodman and Royal Neighbors together with a number of their invited friends, met in honor of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Morgareidge. A beautiful lunch was served, a musical and literary program rendered, after which a gold pin was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Morgareidge as a token of esteem by their respective lodges. All departed with expressions of deep regret at the departure of these worthy people from our community and wishing them success and happiness in their new home.-----Cody Cowboy.
During a severe rain and thunderstorm yesterday [June 9th], Sam Lane, a ranchman and farmer living east of Hay Springs, was killed by lightning. Mr. Lane was horseback, riding his fences when the storm came up, and he and the horse were instantly killed. He was found shortly afterward sitting in the saddle.
Last Friday a patent medicine man called in to negotiate for some advertising, but when we told him the price paid by the Chamberlain company, he grabbed his grip and escaped like a man fleeing from a cyclone.
Mrs. Scott Ballengre came down from Lusk Tuesday morning and is visiting the Mrs. editor and family.
When we get into our new office we will have light from all sides, and with the light of Heaven shining down from above,, we hope to get along nicely.
Mrs. Robert Clap left Gordon Wednesday morning for a visit of a month or six weeks. She will go to Fontanelle, Elk City and other points in this state.
Jim Brooks came down from Rushville this week to paint the Commercial Hotel. The hotel is is also getting a new sidewalk. William Black has been making repairs.
A report from O’Neil says that Judge Kinkaid has received information from Washington to the effect that the fee for filing on a 640 acre homestead will be $14, the same as for 160 acre homesteads. This has been a matter much discussed and the daily report we saw had the appearance of being reliable as it was not near enough to the war news to get contaminated therefrom.
Last Friday morning Walter Joice went to Sioux City, Iowa, and entered the Brown College of that place to complete a business education. We want to encourage Walter by the statement that thorough preparation is what helps to pave the way to higher success for a young man. The cry is for the strictly competent. Stick to your knitting, Walter. Stick to your knitting.
Three hundred Texas steers were unloaded at Gordon Tuesday for J.S. Hull and were taken out to his ranch.

OBITUARY
Horace B. Smith was born in Vermont, August 24, 1828, and died near Gordon, Nebr., June 10, 1904. He came to New York state with his parents when a small boy, having lived there until 1853, when he went west and settled at Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois. On Sept. 20, 1854, he was married to Emily Griswold. To this union were born seven sons and two daughters, two boys having died in childhood. All the rest are living: Chas. W., at Gordon, Neb.; Frank J. at Los Angeles, Calif.; Harry C. at Seattle, Washington; Horace B. at Minneapolis, Minn.; Emma F. at Glidden, Iowa; Bert at Ida Grove, Iowa, and Grace G. at Independence, Colorado. In 1879 Mr. Smith moved with his family from Illinois to Glidden, Carroll Co., Iowa. In 1896 he came with his wife to live at his son Charles’ home near Gordon, Neb. He also leaves two brothers and one sister who reside in New York state, besides a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wilkinson from the home of his son Charles Smith on Sunday, June 12th.
Mr. Worley, of Fremont, is the new barber who is working in Mr. Powell’s shop.
Atty. Wilhite has been in Gordon the past week, having severed his relations with Chadron, to take up new ones in Sheridan county.
Notice is hereby given that shooting is forbidden in the Margrave pasture just northwest of town.
We have loaded the office shooting stick for the man who is going around making out that W.L. Mills looks like us.
When the doctors are compelled to own up to their ignorance here and again, do you notice how the press and others use the consoling language that "the doctors are puzzled?"
A church is Chicago is to have a dance hall, billiard and pool rooms, bowling alleys, etc. Will not some new church start up soon that conceives it a duty to run a butcher shop and grocery store? Our experience has been that, as a rule, those who do very much dancing and playing of pool or billiards, or bowling, never injure themselves by being in a hurry to get to the prayer meeting.
The recent death of an old and much loved teacher in Philadelphia revealed the fact that she had been married sixteen years. She had kept her marriage a secret because she wanted to continue with her teaching, which the Philadelphia school law would not allow.

75 Years Ago - 1904
Thirteen children were received into communion with Our Savior’s Ev. Lutheran church of Gordon in the course of the confirmation service conducted at the church on Sunday, May 26. The following were confirmed: Edith Bornemann, Harold Jensen, Vera Johnson, Albert Bornemann, Marvin Preuss, Albert Nowka, Hazel Benson, Pearl Beyersdorf, Dorothy Konotopka, Evelyn Burck, Arnold Johnson, Thomas Ross and Stanley Preuss. At the services of this coming Sunday these young people will receive their first Communion.
Miss Lillian Brady and Mr. C.M. Stark were married in Gordon last Sunday afternoon, June 2, at 3:00 o’clock. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Brady of Peru, Nebr. The groom is a partner in the local firm of Jewell & Stark. After a short wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Stark will make their home in Gordon for the summer. During the past year Mr. Stark taught in the Chappell schools and he will return there in the fall as principal, while Mrs. Stark will head the commercial department.
Miss Minnie Johnson and Mr. Harold Tucker were united in marriage last Saturday, June 1, by Rev. A. Hutton, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Johnson, old residents of the community. She graduated from Gordon high school with the class of 1928, and for some time she was employed at the Purdy Studio. Mrs. Tucker has made many friends by her pleasant and courteous manner. Mr. Tucker has been in Gordon for the past two years and has many friends in this community. Immediately after the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker left for eastern Nebraska to visit Mr. Tucker’s relatives. Upon their return, they will make their home in Gordon.
The decision of District Judge Meyer that Walter Kent, Sheridan county farmer, could not collect damages from the state because wild ducks ate corn in his fields, was upheld last week by the supreme court.
Delmar Forster and Bill Pfleiger dug out two small coyotes Monday. Harold Taylor and George Moore dug out five small coyotes on Sunday.
Ira Lahaye shipped a billy goat to Omaha, selling him for $1. The freight on the animal was $1.40.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dohse are the parents of a baby girl, born Tuesday, May 28.
Pete Kearns is expected home soon, after an attack of congestion of the lungs.
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Eddenfield moved into the W.B. Thompson apartment in north Gordon the fore part of the week.
Mrs. Audrey Burge returned on Tuesday from Ainsworth, where she had been visiting her mother. She left her small daughter there to spend the summer with her grandmother.
Dr. F.C. Swaney has received orders transferring him to Reno, Nev., where he will continue as a government veterinarian. The family will store their household goods for a time pending the making of arrangements at Reno for a home.
James Fairhead and daughter, Mrs. Tom Roberts, of Toronto, Canada, have been visiting with relatives and friends in and around Gordon for the past week. Mr. Fairhead is the brother of Mrs. Will Timm and Joe Fairhead of Gordon and G.O. Fairhead of Merriman.
The Crystal Bakery is under-going repairs this week following the collapse of their oven. They are making arrangements for the installation of new equipment and will soon be better equipped than ever to take care of their business. While the repairs are being made, Mr. Nelson has arranged to do some baking each day at the Rushville bakery and they are therefore taking care of their trade in good shape. They are keeping on hand the regular supply of bread, buns, rolls and other baked goods, and it is fresh each day.
Miss Wren Gilkerson is this week opening the Dutch Mill Tea Room in the Bland Thompson house a block east of the Birkby filling station. Next Saturday she is opening by serving tea free to the public between the hours of 3 and 5 and invites everyone to come. Tea rooms, similar to this one, have been very popular in many places and Miss Gilkerson believes that Gordon offers a splendid opening.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Warren Sager, a daughter, Friday 24.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Evans are the parents of a baby girl, born May 30.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Dahlgren are the parents of a baby girl, born May 30.
The 9-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Q.B. Skinner fell while skating the first of the week and broke her left arm.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roger C. McCray of Cody on Wednesday, June 5, at the home of Mrs. Fanny Moore.
Miss Virginia Ashley is now employed at the Gordon Journal office. She will handle office work and also do some reporting for the newspaper. Miss Ashley is a 1929 graduate of Gordon High School.
A Disgraceful Incident
The state of Nebraska may hang its head in shame in connection with one incident which transpired during the execution of Henry Sherman at the state penitentiary Friday morning.
Against the wishes of Warden Fenton, a 10-year-old boy, "Buddy" Pochon, a son of the murdered couple, was taken to the somber atmosphere of the prison, ushered into the presence of the man who had killed his parents and allowed to shake hands with him. We don’t know who was responsible for his presence at the prison on an occasion of this nature; we don’t know whether he specifically requested that he be allowed to go there. We are not concerned with that. A 10-year-old boy is not capable of making mature decisions.
What useful purpose was served by permitting "Buddy" Pochon to participate in those "last minute" scenes in the execution of Henry Sherman? For his sake we hope he has a stolid unimaginative mind. We hope that he is not impression-able. We hope that the grim room adjoining the one which houses the electric chair, its occupant and the stark drama which transpired there while the fitful mists of the morning were being dispelled by sunlight will not sear themselves into his memory. We have been present on too many occasions of this character to feel that somebody knew what they were doing when they allowed this youngster to go to the prison Friday morning.

50 Years Ago - 1954
Fred Beattie was elected commander of Fred Sturdevant post of the American Legion at the annual meeting held Wednesday night at the Legion club. Other officers named were: Bob Connealy, first vice-commander; Walt Birkby, second vice-commander; Don Tollman, finance officer; Sam Steinmark, sergeant-at-arms; Herman Bachmann, service officer. Dick Malone was elected to the executive committee.
No one was seriously hurt when a pickup, driven by William Hoffman of Cody, and a sedan, driven by Bertha Lindreth, Rushville, collided on Highway 20 about three miles west of Rushville Sunday morning.
Tom Wallace, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Wallace of Gordon, was named second place in the competition for top scholar in his junior class at Nebraska Wesleyan university.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sierra are the parents of a girl, Florence Rose, born June 4, 1954 at Gordon Memorial hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCray are the parents of a daughter born June 7, 1954 at Gordon Memorial hospital.
Richmond R. Case, officer in the UK serving with the SAC, West Drayton in England, was upped in rank to major, according to promotion lists released recently. Case is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Case of Gordon.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Torrens of Wahoo announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss LaVerne Elaine Meyers, to Thomas H. Wallace, son of the Rev. and Mrs. Ben F. Wallace of Gordon. Both are students at Nebraska Wesleyan university. The wedding is planned for August 8.
Jeanne Dohse and Leah Britton left Saturday for Pahaska Tepee lodge, Pahaska, Wyo., where they will serve as receptionists through the summer months. Tepee lodge is at the east entrance to Yellowstone national park. Mr. and Mrs. Art Britton drove the girls to Pahaska.
Two new members were initiated into the order when the Rebekah lodge met Wednesday evening, June 2. They were Mrs. Charlotte Mathis and Mrs. Marie Johnson. Miss Katrina Anderson was reinstated.
Arrangements of bridal wreath, snowballs and tulips formed the background for the wedding of Miss Matilda Spider, daughter of Albert Spider of Porcupine, S.D. to Alfred Wounded Arrow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wounded Arrow of Gordon, which was solemnized Tuesday, June 1, at the Church of God Indian Mission in Gordon. Mr. and Mrs. Morey Bruce were the couple’s only attendants.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Radcliff were married May 23 at the Methodist church in Clinton. Before her marriage Mrs. Radcliff was Miss Marilyn Jensen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Jensen of Clinton.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davis and family arrived in Gordon Tuesday to be houseguests of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kime at the ranch. Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Kime, both native Australians, met on shipboard as they were coming to this country to live.
Wallace Smith arrived Thursday to spend a few days at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Smith. He will return Saturday morning to Pasadena, Calif. where he is employed at the First Trust and Savings bank.
Obituaries
Robert Leroy Skanadore: Robert Leroy Skandore was born Oct. 29, 1948 in Rushville, Nebr. and died June 4, 1954 at Omaha, Nebr. at the age of five years, eight months and 25 days. Bobby Lee will always be remembered by his many friends for his happy disposition and big smile. He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother. He leaves to mourn his passing, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nern Skanadore; two sisters, Mary Kay and Beverly Jean; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Skanadore, and Mrs. Eunice Tice; many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the Gordon Gospel chapel and interment was in the Gordon cemetery.
Carrie Belle Phillipy Ehlers: Carrie Belle Phillipy, daughter of George and Mary Phillipy, was born July 29, 1889 at Woodbine, Iowa, and died at the Gordon Memorial hospital May 24, 1954 at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 25 days. On Aug. 9, 1912, she was united in marriage to Adolph Ehlers at Logan, Iowa, and to this union were born nine children; six sons and three daughters. A son, Dick J. and grandson George Wesley Ehlers, preceded her in death in 1937.

25 Years Ago - 1979
The oldest of folk arts was on display at the rescue shelter in Gordon Friday afternoon as members of the RSVP (Retired Citizens Volunteer Program) were there to present three colorful quilts for use at the facility. On hand to present the quilts to Mary Boyer, on duty at the shelter, were Flora Hagedorn, Clara Drabbels, Elsie Eichenberger, Opal Cotant, Helen Sipp, Maybelle Hockenbary, Theresa Heesacker, Peg Walgren and Gloria Harrison. Helping to fashion the quilts but not present Friday were Alma Cerny, Esther Osbon, Lou Howard, Edith Rash, Winnie Cady and Carlotta Mathis.
Gordon Memorial Hospital Births:
*Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Hardin, Gordon, a son, born June 5, 1979.
*Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kelley, Bridgeport, a daughter born May 31, 1979.
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A baby shower in honor of Tyler Chappell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Travis Chappell, was held Wednesday, May 30 at the home of Mrs. Bob Johnson. Hostesses were Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. D.R. Koss and Barb Moser. Twelve guests enjoyed a fun evening with games being played. A decorated cake and punch were then served. A special guest was Tyler’s great-grandma, Mrs. Mary Taylor.
Funeral services for Claude Eastep will be held Thursday, June 7 at 2 p.m. in the United Methodist church, Gordon. Mrs. Eastep died unexpectedly in his sleep Monday morning. An obituary will be printed next week.
Todd Rager, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Rager, bowled recently in the youth singles championship tournament, held at Kearney. Todd bowled in the open division for boys which was for those having an average of 170 or more. In the six qualifying games he averaged 188 ½ in the five games. Todd is the runner-up for the state in his division. Kristi Parks, daughter of Yvonne Parks, also bowled in the tournament in the handicap division for girls. She bowled the highest game in her division which was 223, which was 100 pins over her average. She received a trophy and century patch.

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