Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
June 23, 2004
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1904
The atmosphere around here is smelling loudly with the odors of a new paper to be started in Gordon soon. The chief reason seems to be because the Journal has moved out of the property of H.G. Lyon. Bro. L. told us that he had money to put into a newspaper in case we vacated his building. We suppose Gordon must be badly in need of the paper or Mr. Lyon would have backed some fellow with money to put a peanut snap, a barber shop or a grocery store in his building. The only reason for the paper, as Mr. Lyon has suggested to us, is that his building is vacant. We have ceased to drop into his long and capacious jeans pocket that $12.50 per month in advance for a building with no locks on the doors except what we fixed, and very little light in the press room except what emancipated from the smiling countenances of the typos.
This new paper is to be Republican. Less than two weeks ago Mr. Lyon told us it was no credit to a man to run a strictly political paper, but to get those golden dollars it was the thing to do. It is claimed that editor Burleigh, formerly of Ainsworth, is to be the greatly favored man to be backed by Bro. Lyon, and after they had scratched each other’s backs for a few years in a mutual admiration society, they ought to make a good pair, but to make us believe that Burleigh-Lyon will start a new paper in Gordon, you will have to show us; bluffs and rumors are cheap, but print material is high priced and we know of some persons who stutter some when it comes to planking down the hard dollars. Mr. Lyon is well known here and as to Mr. Burleigh, seek the information from Ainsworth. We have had this paper a year, and know that two papers cannot run on the proceeds. Lyon has indicated to us that we are fast falling into disrepute in the Journal and taking this, combined with Editor Cooper of Rushville calling us a fool, why the new paper might knock the Journal out in the first round. The matter does not bother us. We leave it in the hands of the good people of Gordon.
A very quiet wedding was solemnized Wednesday noon at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph VanBuskirk, Rev. Scamahorn officiating. The contracting parties were Miss Jennie VanBuskirk and Mr. Samuel DeFrance. The bride has grown to womanhood in this vicinity and has been one of the foremost teachers in this county having taught in our schools during the year just past. Mr. DeFrance is well and favorably known, formerly residing on Pole Creek. Mr. and Mrs. DeFrance departed immediately for Merriman where they will make their future home. The best wishes of the Journal and their numerous friends go with them wherever their lot may be cast.
Miss Ella Graham, a sister of Mrs. George Beamer, who came to this locality from Gunn City, Mo., last winter, in company with Rudolph Moscow, who came here last winter from Idaho, were in Gordon Tuesday en route for Rushville where they were married on Wednesday by the county judge. They will immediately leave for Cheyenne, where Mr. Moscow will work at his trade, which is that of a butcher. The couple have many friends east of Gordon who will join us in wishing them success and happiness.
School closed last Friday to the great relief of teacher and scholars. It is too hot to study.
Miss Letha Wilkinson, while riding a bicycle Monday, had the misfortune to run into a bank, throwing her to the ground and causing her sufficient injuries that she has been crippling around most of the week.
Married in Rushville
Married last night at the home of A.M. Abbott, Judge Edmunds officiating, were Miss Minnie Ethel Liptrap to Fred Henry Bosche, both of Cherry County, Nebraska. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Liptrap, old neighbors of the editor’s, and has numerous friends in the country. The young man is unknown to us but this will not prevent us wishing them all joy on their marriage voyage.
On Wednesday of last week, a very sorrowful accident occurred at the home of George Glover northwest of town. Mrs. Glover was washing and had set a pail of hot water on the floor and took the caution to warn her little daughter Carrie to keep away from the same. But in a short time the child fell backward into the bucket of water, being sufficiently scalded over the bowels and lower part of the back as to cause death. Carrie Glover was born October 5, 1899, and died June 24, 1904. The funeral services were conducted from the home by Rev. Scamahorn on last Saturday.
Fifty years ago there were less than a thousand white people in Nebraska Territory; today more than a million. The total wealth then was probably not $100,000; now between one and two billions. Then there was not a single cultivated farm; today there are more than 125,000, with crops worth $162,000,000.
A Salem lady all winter enjoyed the society of a tree toad which nestled in the earth of a plant pot. The spring sun enlivened it and one day it opened its eyes, blinked solemnly at the mistress a few times and climbed up the plant, where it still reposes, a fact which destroys the popular theory that a toad or frog is unable to survive a winter unless burrowed in the mud and frozen in. The fact is either a toad or a frog will do well if taken from its retreat in midwinter and subjected to house temperature.75 Years Ago - 1929
Charles O’Blenness, state highway patrolman, was almost fatally injured last Monday evening, when a truck, passing him on the highway west of town, side-swiped him and seriously crushed his face and head. O’Blenness had gotten out of his maintainer and was standing in front of his outfit talking to Al Lee and a Mr. Parks, who are also employed on the highway. A truck, headed east, swung around his tractor and when it turned quickly to straighten out, its rear end was thrown around and it struck the group, seriously injuring O’Blenness but only slightly hurting the others. The youngest son of O’Blenness was knocked down by one of the men but was not badly hurt. The truck did not stop and it is not known who was driving it. It is doubted if the driver knew that he struck anyone as it was done by the rear end and may not have been felt by the driver at all. O’Blenness was unconscious for many hours but appears now to be on the road to recovery. His nose is broken, however, and his head badly bruised.
WHEATON--RASMUSSEN
On Tuesday, June 4th, at Papillion, Nebr., occurred the marriage of Mrs. Vaughn Wheaton and Mr. Anton Rasmussen of this city. Mrs. Rasmussen is a former resident of Gordon, having moved away from here a number of years ago, while Mr. Rasmussen is a live stock buyer who is well known throughout the county. They will make their future home in Gordon.
BOSCHE--BIRKBY
On Monday, June 17, occurred the marriage of Thomas Birkby and Miss Ida
Bosche. The marriage took place at Edgemont, S.D. The bride is the charming young daughter of Fred Bosche of Merriman and graduate from the Gordon high school with the class of 1927. She attended Chadron Normal the following and the last year finished a year of teaching at a school north of Gordon. Since that time she has been employed at the Barclay Beauty Shop. The groom is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Birkby Sr., and has been at the Birkby filling station for some time, having an interest in the business. The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Birkby wish them much happiness and showed their good wishes by charivaring them on Wednesday night.
SCHRADER--JOHNSON
On Monday, June 10, occurred the marriage of Lester E. Johnson of Atlanta and Miss Grace L. Schrader, daughter of Mrs. Frank Schrader of Gordon. The ceremony was performed by Judge Hutton at Rushville. Mrs. Johnson’s many friends wish them much happiness in their married life.
EVANS--ASHLEY
Word was received here of the marriage of Victor Ashley, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Ashley, to Miss Lelah Evans of Grand Island. They were married on June 12.
The Golden Rule store of Gordon, as part of the Barnett & Co. chain, has been sold to the J.C. Penney company of New York, and possession will be taken by the new owners about August 1st. The deal transfers the stores at Alliance, Hemingford, Chappel, Lewellen, Rushville and Gordon.
H.F. Arnot, wife and son, Billy, arrived in Gordon from Moab, Utah on Thursday of last week. They have been away four years but will again locate in this part of the country.
Miss Josephine Anderson of San Francisco is visiting at the home of her brother, Fred Anderson. They had not seen each other for fifteen years.
Myron Gates, son of Mr. and Mrs. Newton Gates, graduated on Tuesday from Northwestern University of Evanston, Ill., completing the engineering course. He has won many school honors while there, being president of his fraternity, the Wranglers, and also secretary of the Inter-Fraternity conference. He was recently a delegate to a Fraternity convention in the east, visiting Washington and New York City. Myron intends to enter the service of the Bell Telephone company.
A new well has been put into operation at the Gordon cemetery and more water will hereafter be available. The cemetery appears very fine this year and in a few more years should be a really beautiful place.
Mrs. James A. Miller has written Gordon friends that Mr. Miller’s body is to be brought to Gordon for burial in the near future, although as yet the exact plans are not known.
Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Fairbrother and family on Monday moved into the house in northeast Gordon recently occupied by the M.D. Smith family.
The tearing down of the old Masonic Hall removes a landmark from the streets of Gordon. For many years, before being purchased by the Masons, it served as a dance hall; for a long time it was a theatre; and we can remember when it housed a gymnasium. In more recent times it has housed part of the Presbyterian Sunday School activities, as well as caring for the Kiwanis club luncheon and many other public gatherings. With its outside coat of tin, it has long been popularly known as the "Tin Hall" and certainly the new Temple will be more beautiful. And yet the old structure carried much sentiment with it, especially for those who had been active in lodge work during the many years that it has been owned by Arcana Lodge. But towns and organizations grow and the old must make room for the new, and it seems that Gordon will soon be able to be very proud of its Masonic Temple, whose construction is now started.
Helen Gilkerson and Fred Hoos both had their tonsils removed last week.50 Years Ago - 1954
Dick Hall, Wounded Knee, S.D. rancher, is in the Rushville hospital suffering from injuries received Sunday evening in rodeo competition at the Merrill ranch near Pine Ridge. Mr. Hall sustained multiple fractures of five or more ribs, a punctured lung and severe head lacerations when he was thrown from a saddle-bronc, dragged and, it is thought, kicked in the head before being rescued. Mr. Hall is a veteran rodeo contestant and has appeared in the local area during the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo. Dr. H.V. Crum, attending physician, reports his condition as "critical."
Phil Shoop, White Clay, was released Monday from the Gordon hospital where he was confined by injuries administered by assailants on June 14. The incident occurred at White Clay when Shoop and Tom Wilcox were approached by Indians with the request that the men buy beer for them. When Shoop and Wilcox refused, they were assaulted and badly beaten. Shoop was hospitalized at Gordon suffering from a fracture of the cervical vertebrae and multiple bruises along the left side of the head. Sheriff Hills is investigating the case.
A supper party for 14 relatives was held at the Elmer Speer home Monday evening a week ago, honoring Wayne Speer who has been home on furlough. He left Tuesday from Alliance and will go from there to his camp in New Jersey. From there he will go to Newfoundland. As soon as he is settled, his wife expects to join him. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hamilton, Wanda and Yvonne were among the guests.
Births at Gordon Mem. Hosp.
*Mr. and Mrs. Harley Johnson, a daughter, Kerri Lea, born June 10, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Dean Hunter, a daughter, Cheryl Lee, born June 10, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson, a son, born June 14, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Whitney, a daughter, Ann Colleen, born June 21, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Yauney, a daughter, born June 21, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Jack Keene, a son, born June 25, 1954.
Pvt. Cleveland C. Tale, son of Charles Tale of Gordon, is nearing completion of basic infantry training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. with a unit of the sixth armored division.
On June 13 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in Faith, S. D., Delores Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman of Faith, and Jack Edwin Fair, son of Mrs. Lila Fair of Gordon, were united in marriage. The bride is a graduate of Faith High School, and the groom is a corporal in the United States Army. After a short honeymoon in the Black Hills, the couple will report to Fort Knox, Ky. On discharge from the army, the newlyweds will make their home on the groom’s farm south of Gordon.
Wanda Peters of Gordon has been appointed to the Westminster Fellowship national assembly meeting at the University of Illinois, June 30 to July 6. As a delegate she will be one of 1200 young persons representing over 500,000 youth of the Presbyterian church, USA.25 Years Ago - 1979
Harry O. Schaffert, Gordon’s postmaster, has been selected as one of 100 persons in the U.S. postal service to take part in a headquarters field interchange program. The idea of the program is to take postal managers from the field into Washington, D.C. headquarters and place an equal number of headquarters people in the field. Mr. Schaffert’s assignment will be in the customer program division as market specialist for the duration of the program, July 9 through Dec. 15, 1979. Schaffert’s replacement in Gordon could be someone from Washington or it might be a person from western Nebraska looking for experience to further his or her career.
Mrs. Jack Roberts returned June 13th from Butte, Mont., where she visited her daughter Wendy Holthus. On June 9, they were in Bozeman, Mont., for the commencement service of the Montana State University. Wendy was graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in nursing. She will work at St. James hospital in Butte.
Two area couples celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently, hosted by their children. The honorees were Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Stouffer and Mr. and Mrs. Fred (Fritz) Nelson. Ina Frohman and Fred Nelson were married Dec. 26, 1928 in Martin, S.D., and were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Brace. Mildred Frohman and LeRoy Stouffer were married Jan. 23, 1929 in Martin with Mr. and Mrs. Lester Stouffer as their attendants.
Tuesday was Ron and Judy Dorsey’s 10th anniversary. They took in the horse sale at Chadron and then were guests for a cookout supper at the Rob Harvey home. While there they visited with Mrs. Max Dykes. She is staying with the Harveys while taking a summer course at CSC.
The big four-county convention of Royal Neighbors of America was held at Rushville June 9th with 36 women registering. A 50-year membership pin was presented to Gertrude Bare. Three other members were not present to receive their 50-year pins.
Twenty members of the Gordon high school class of 1929 and their spouses met on June 2nd at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Thompson for an afternoon of reminiscing of the last 10 years, since their last reunion. Then the group met at the Presbyterian church for a 6:30 dinner. Royal McGaughey welcomed the group .Among those going through school here from the first grade were Wayne and Virgil Anderson, Clell Borders, Gordon Hull, George Shadbolt, James Wollm, Dorothy Brugger, Irene Lowe, Beulah Moss, Neva Seveland and Waunita Tranmer. Other members of the class present were Evelyn Baker Thompson, Helga Anderson Gregory, Floyd Hatch, James Moss, Ted Borders, Margaret Dorsey Grant, Margrete Morris Divan, Shirley Potts Krotz, Jessie Furman Chambers, Royal McGaughey, Amanda Sanders Shadbolt, Ruth Parker Ryan, J. Lawson Lee, Richard Cobb, Clarence Shepard and Marie Hansen Bowman.
Elaine and Bill Brammer were honored Saturday evening at the home of Mrs. Brammer’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Buckles. Mrs. Tom May (Lorraine) of Des Moines, Iowa, was a houseguest of her parents during the weekend to attend the reception.
A carry-in supper was held at the Joe Belsky home Thursday, June 14 to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morsett’s birthdays. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Acel Miller, Robbie and Jenny of Rushville, Frank Morsett, Wendy Hagel and David, Ken Stapleton, Tanya Hykel and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Belsky.
Miss Jeanette Bruce, 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Bruce, who attended the Miss Nebraska National Teenager pageant in Seward, received the trophy and scholar-ship as she was judged Miss Citizenship Nebraska during the June 9 event. Eckerd college in St. Petersburg, Fla., awards a $4,000 tuition scholarship to the state citizenship winner.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Anthony of Cody, are the parents of a son, born June 17, 1979, at Gordon Memorial hospital.
Verlene Thayer, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Thayer of Merriman, has been accepted to the Grand Island school of business during the school term through 1979-80 starting Sept 17th.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 20:00:09 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
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