Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
June 16, 2004
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1904
The 129th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill was celebrated in Boston, in Lynn and in many New England cities. Business was suspended in Boston.
Reports on target practice on the battleship Illinois off the Maine coast show that one turret made twenty-nine hits out of thirty-nine shots with eleven inch guns, an excellent record. The six inch guns made 4.34 hits per gun per minute. The thirteen inch turret of the Wisconsin made the phenomenal record of thirty-two hits out of thirty-six shots. The turret will get the navy prize.
Married
On Sunday, June 19, 1904, at the home of Rev. B.A. Wilkinson just north of town at 4 o’clock p.m., Mr. Harry Jordan to Miss Stella Parker. Mr. Jordan is the son of J.R. Jordan, one of the early pioneers of Gordon but now residing in Rushville. Miss Parker is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.N. Parker, who also came to Sheridan county in an early day. Both of these young people are very well known to most of our readers, who will join with the Journal in wishing them success and happiness.
Last Monday lightning struck the chimney on the home of Ed Zimmerli. Mrs. Zimmerli, who was in the house, was knocked down and her hearing was effected for some time afterward.
The Commercial Hotel has had a new awning about ten feet long built to the building. This will add very materially to the summer comforts of the premises.
A member of the town board informs us that so many of the trees in the park are dead that the board does not consider that it will pay to try to do anything in keeping it up. Probably the appurtenances had better be said and the money applied on a gasoline engine for use in pumping the village water instead of the old rattletrap now used.
Last week Newton Gates, undertaker for The Fair, went to Fremont and took the state examination for an Embalmer. They now have the largest stock of new burial cases, the finest funeral car and can give you the best service of any undertaking establishment in the northwest.
Nuptials
Last Wednesday evening, promptly at eight o’clock, at the home of the bride’s father, J.H. Jones, the Rev. R.H. Gammon officiating, Miss Mae Jones and John Hamilton Brownlee were united in the bonds of holy matrimony. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a select number of relatives and friends of the contracting parties, the bride being prettily dressed in white silk with a long train set off with beautiful white roses, and the groom in regulation black. Miss Sylvia Brownlee, as brides maid, was dressed in white and wore roses. J. H. Miller of Gordon was the best man. The ceremony was a pretty affair.--Rushville Recorder.
The new pastor of the M.E. church, T.C. Edwards, of Iowa, will arrive July first and will preach the following Sunday.
Clater Dix and wife returned from Alliance to Gordon the first of the week and contemplate staying in this vicinity.
Henry McClain has added to his property occupied by Bert Bayliff, one of the neatest porches in town. F.J. Andreas is the architect.
Peter Peterson was brought down from Hot Springs last Friday morning by his wife. He had fallen out of a hammock and broke a leg, and on arrival here, was taken to the home of his father-in-law, E.C. Davies southeast of town. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson had started nearly a week before, driving from here to Hot Springs, intending to visit other places in the Hills.
The depot has been undergoing a complete cleaning and painting internally until it looks like some other place so much that agent Niles is not certain he is here.
George Borders, Fred Duerfeldt and Frank Hummel returned the first of the week from Lew Oberwetter’s ranch where they went to build a first class dipping vat.
Some persons in town have a lot of pipe in the ground that is in very close communication with the stand pipe,--and yet so far." The village board has so far refused to allow the village water to be used for watering lawns.
On July 4th there will be a barbecue given at Bartow’s grove ten miles southeast of Gordon. Beef, mutton and pork in great abundance and free for everybody. Attorney R.L. Wilhite will be orator of the day which oration will be given at 11 o’clock. Races, baseball and items of entertainment too numerous to mention will be on the program. The people of Gordon will do well to leave for a day the wear and tear of city life and enjoy an outing on the river at Bartow’s grove.
It is said that a small Nebraska church was badly in need of repairs, and a meeting was held with a view of raising funds for that purpose. The minister having said that $500 would be needed, a very wealthy and stingy member arose and said he would give $1. Just as he sat down a large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling and struck him on the head, whereupon he hastily arose and said that he had made a mistake---that he would give $50. This was too much for an enthusiastic deacon present, who, forgetful of every-thing, called out fervently: "Oh Lord, hit him again! Hit him again!"--Pierce County Call.
One of the most appalling disasters in the history of New York occurred Sunday afternoon when an excursion steamer, loaded with mostly women and children on an outing, caught fire. The vessel, the General Slocum, was old and the wood it was made of was seasoned and ripe for flames. The outing was the 17th annual Sunday School excursion of St. Mark’s German Lutheran church. More than 600 persons died. The General Slocum was a three-decked excursion steamer. It is reported that those who died were either burned to death or drowned when they tried to jump overboard and got caught in the whirl of the boats motors. The fire is said to have broken out in a lunchroom on the forward deck when a pot of grease overturned. The wind was high and all efforts to subdue the fire were futile.
Julius Kushman, a farmer residing south of Nebraska City, was kicked in the jaw while unharnessing a team. The kick of the horse broke his jaw and caused a concussion of the brain. He is not likely to recover.
Among quantities of fish caught from the Blue river last week was one that was observed to have a peculiar pouch beneath its mouth. On opening this, four ten-penny nails and a 1-cent piece, coined in 1880, were discovered.75 Years Ago - 1929
For the third time this season, out of four games played, the Gordon baseball team lost by a one-run margin, being defeated by Hot Springs last Sunday by a score of 7 to 6. Van Fleet, starting the game for Gordon, was not in his usual form and Sorenson was later put in the box. The latter twirler held the opponents down in good shape, but Gordon was unable to catch up.
Dorwin Lester Leach, two-weeks old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Leach of Gordon, died at his home on last Saturday [June 8, 1929]. The little babe was born on the 21st of May and lived to bless the home only eighteen days. The sympathy of friends goes out to the bereaved parents.
The highway from Hay Springs west to the county line is finally to be completed, after a court action over some right-of-way, which went to the supreme court. As now located, the road will run on the south side of the railroad track and angle to the north, joining the old road on the Dawes and Sheridan county line. It will shorten the road about a half-mile and get away from a number of hills. The right-of-way has now been granted and the grading outfit started work this week. It is likely that the road will be graveled as soon as the grading is complete.
Miss Viola Shadbolt has returned to Gordon after graduating from the state university last week.
GRACE--FORBES
On Wednesday, May 29, 1929, at Harrison, Nebr., Mr. Orin T. Forbes of Crawford, and Miss Myrtle Grace of Valentine were united in marriage, Rev. Marston of the M.E. Church officiating. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. James Forbes. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. T. Forbes, of Crawford, and has grown to manhood there. The bride is a successful young school teacher who has taught in Gordon schools the past year.
STOUFFER - BRITT
Miss Bertha Stouffer and Mr. Willard H. Britt were united in marriage last Saturday, June 8, at Martin, S.D. They were accompanied by Miss Mildred Moore and Vern Peterson. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.V.Stouffer, old residents of Gordon. She graduated from Gordon high school with the class of 1926. She attended the Business College in Lincoln for one year and for some time has been employed in the office department of Dempster-O’Connell Hardware Store. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Britt of Chadron. He is a graduate of Rushville high school with the class of 1923, and has been working for the last year at the Gordon Lumber and Coal Company. Mr. and Mrs. Britt are two of Gordon’s popular young people and have a host of friends in this community who wish them much happiness in their married life.
HUTTON--HATCH
The wedding of Mildred Irene Hutton to Ernest C. Hatch was solemnized Sunday, June 9, 1929, at high noon at the Church of God in Gordon. The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Rex R. Heldenbrand of Lincoln as matron of honor, and Miss Mildred Hedrick as bridesmaid. The groomsmen were Elmer Hatch and Ernest Johnson. The marriage lines were very impressively read by Rev. L.A. Hatch of Omaha, brother of the groom. . Mrs. Hatch is the second daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Hutton of this city. Mr. Hatch is the son of Mr. George Hatch and has grown to manhood in this community. The young couple are establishing their new home on the Hatch farm, six miles northwest of Gordon, where they will be at home July 1st to their many friends.
SMITH--REEVES
On Wednesday morning of this week, [June 12, 1929], at Pine Ridge, occurred the marriage of Miss Josephine Smith and Willie Reeves Jr. The bride’s home was north of Rushville while the groom has been raised in this community, and has many friends here. After a month’s wedding trip to Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. Reeves will make their home in Gordon with his mother, Mrs. Maggie Reeves.
Postmaster Strong has received official notice that free city delivery has been allotted to Gordon as soon as the residence streets have been posted and the houses have been numbered. In order to have this done, the city council is making arrangements to have the names of the streets put on signs which will be placed at each street intersection, and City Engineer Coon has been asked to assign a number to each house, and the numbers will then be ordered. It is likely that within a month the delivery can be started. It is planned to have a forenoon delivery to each house, while in the business district there will be an additional afternoon delivery.
A large group of young people gathered on Tuesday evening and char varied two of our popular newly married couples, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Burdick and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Britt. After much noise, snake dancing and fun the crowd all went to the Pullman Café where they enjoyed a nice lunch, which was graciously paid for by the newly-weds.
Margaret Fowler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Fowler, is reported this week as having smallpox.
OBITUARIES
Mrs. William Alder of Merriman died at her home on Monday of this week, the funeral being held at Merriman Wednesday, with burial in Gordon cemetery. Mrs. Alder had lived in Cherry county since 1889 and had a host of old-time friends who will mourn her departure. She was born at Blue Ridge, Mo., on Feb. 27, 1872, her maiden name being Clara Lillian Sigler. She leaves a husband and six daughters in her immediate family.
Eloise Marie Davis: Eloise Marie, youngest child of Melvin and Cora Davis, was born in Gordon, Nebr., March 12, 1926, and departed this life on Sunday, June 9, 1929, being with us three years, two months and 28 days. Eloise was a child of remarkably sweet and sensitive nature, whose loving disposition made the days brighter and happier for all whom she met. So often we feared that such a perfect child might not be permitted to remain in this evil world, yet were unprepared for the sudden illness which has taken the light and joy from our home. Besides a dear father and devoted mother, two brothers and a sister, many relatives and friends in the two communities where she has lived are mourning the loss of one whose life was like a ray of sunshine. Truly she has "budded on earth to bloom in Heaven." In childish fancy she remarked some time ago, "Mamma, I want to see my Jesus." Her mother answered, "O, you wouldn’t want to go and leave me." "O, I would wait for you," she replied happily. The funeral was held at the Methodist church in Gordon on June 11, Rev. J.W. Embree the pastor, having charge.
Dear Little Eloise:
More homelike is that vast unknown, Since you have entered there. You’ll "wait for us"; we leave you now, in Jesus’ tender care. Your spirit bright will sheltered be on that eternal shore; Whate’er betide, Thy love abide;
Our God forever more."50 Years Ago - 1954
On application of County Judge Benschoter and on the request of members of the Sheridan county bar, the county commissioners last Friday appointed Attorney Lloyd H. Jordan as acting county judge. Attorney Jordan is continuing his estate, probate and general law practice at Gordon. He is only acting temporarily until Judge Benschoter’s doctors permit him to return to the office. Also on Friday, the county commissioners appointed Lois Pochon as official clerk of the county court.
Floyd Holmgrain Jr. received his master of arts in education degree Sunday afternoon, June 13, during the 63rd commencement ceremony at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. Floyd, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd H. Holmgrain Sr., is a graduate of Gordon high school.
Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Hardin left Tuesday morning for Champaign, Ill. to attend the commencement exercises at the University of Illinois. The Hardin’s son, Robert, will receive his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering at the service which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, June 20.
A hail storm hit the Merriman area late Sunday afternoon. The trailer house of Blaine Belsky was badly damaged with five broken windows and damage to the top and sides was reported.
Pfc. Robert Gene Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Olson returned last week to his base at Puerto Rico after spending a 30-day leave with his parents and friends.
The First Presbyterian church was the scene of the June 4th wedding of Bernice Ethel Pfiefer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Pfiefer and Herman D. Langley, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Langley of Shamrock, Texas. The wedding date is also the date of the bride’s parents’ anniversary.25 Years Ago - 1979
Morey Bruce was named the outstanding member of the Gordon Lions club at the annual awards program and installation of officers Thursday evening. He is currently serving as club president. Frank Ferguson was presented an award as outstanding first year member. Maurice Dragoo was honored with a 10-year perfect attendance pin. Officers installed for the coming year were: President: Charles Smith; 1st Vice-president: Maurice Dragoo; 2nd Vice-president: R.J. Trujillo; Secretary-Treasurer: Kelly Grant; Tail-Twister: Frank Ferguson; Lion Tamer: Willis Gran; Directors: Gran and Frank Pantoja, Holdover Directors: Ray Sholl and Harry Schaffert.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morris of Gordon are parents of a son born June 6, 1979.
Helen Schmidt accompanied Laresta Wickman and her three granddaughters, Brenda and Laura Modlin of Eli and Jana Cady of Valentine, to the Black Hills State college at Spearfish where they spent a week on campus attending the South Dakota CFO camp. They returned Saturday evening.
Mrs. Robert Gealy presented several of her piano students in recitals at her Singing Hill farm home on Thursday and Friday evenings. Appearing on the program Thursday were Kim Dukat, Paul West, Stacey Watson, Debbie Marshall and Brenda Smith. Those appearing on Friday’s program were Dan Walter, Michelle Conway (student of Mrs. George Comer), Tawna Thomas, Rachel Walter, Clara Bell Sipp, Kris Wallace and Lisa Hare.
Announcement is made of the engagement of Lynne Ann Saults, daughter of Dr. Joe Saults, Phoenix, AZ and the late Mrs. Saults, to Jerry Janssen, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Janssen of Gordon. The bride elect is a 1975 graduate of Washington High School in Phoenix and is currently employed at Ideal Market in Gordon. Her fiance, a 1975 graduate of Gordon high school is engaged in ranching and farming with his father, south of Gordon. A July wedding is being planned.
Sunday is Bob Fair’s 100th birthday and the family is having a party for him at the Good Samaritan Center at 2 p.m. Saturday.. All his relatives and friends are encouraged to come.
Mr. and Mrs. George Ostrander announce the engagement of their daughter, Loresta to Jack McCamish, son of Jack McCamish and Lela McCamish of Omaha. Plans are being made for a June 30th wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. Jerold Hardin of Gordon are the parents of a son, Christopher Scott, born June 5.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 20:00:08 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
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