Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Mar 3, 2004
columns by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1904
Ever since it was announced in Washington dispatches that Colonel Melvin Grisby of Sioux Falls, S.D., who has been in Washington for some time, intended raising a battalion of rough riders for service with the Japanese against the Russians, the office of Col. Grisby has been flooded with letters from applicants for places. Most of the letters are from former members of Grigsby’s Rough Riders, a regiment which was formed during the Spanish-American War, who wish to see active service during the war in the Far East. Colonel Grigsby has instructed his son, Sioux Grigsby, who is in charge of the office in Sioux Falls, to write such of the applicants a letter stating that the report of his intended action is unfounded; that the laws of Japan forbid the enlistment of foreigners in the Japanese army, and that no good citizen will violate the neutrality laws of the United States.
Louis Provost of Merriman has had the misfortune Monday to have a horse fall on him and break a leg. He was brought to Gordon and the fracture was reduced by Dr. Dwyer.
A surprise leap year was given at the home of John Rief on February 29th. A goodly number were in attendance and a pleasant time reported.
After this week, Mr. H. Bottenberg will do most of the local editing of the Journal, collect the bills and attend to most of the details of the paper. The editor finds that his professional work is again increasing and will not be able to attend to all the affairs that has been his lot the past eight months. The arrangement as indicated above will lighten our burdens considerably, and in some ways may improve the paper.
The private car used by President Lincoln during the Civil War, and which carried his body to Springfield for burial, has been loaned to the St. Louis Exposition or exhibition in the Lincoln Museum by the Union Pacific railroad.
It has been reported to us that Arthur Shepardson and Miss Etta Swick were married on Wednesday at the home of the bride’s parents, who reside several miles northwest of Gordon. We have not seen any wedding cake or other suspicious signs, but our report seems to be a reliable one.
Jefferson Winship sends us word to mail his paper to his Gordon address, so there is reason to believe he will return soon.
We are informed that David Moffatt Jr. will leave for Chicago before long to take a position in a mercantile establishment.
Dr. Emmett, a grandnephew of Robert Emmett, the Irish patron, has just celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in New York City.
The news has been received here that a baby was born to Rev. J.G. Clark and wife, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Gordon, on Tuesday of this week. The condition of the mother was not satisfactory at the time of the writing. The baby died within a short time.
The money, amounting to over $500, that has been subscribed to the school fund, has largely been done by business men, and they do it on the principle that it pays better to thus raise money than to have a saloon in town. This fact in one worthy of consideration.
There is a great deal of talk going around about how to live 100 years, but if we can only learn people how to live right for 30 or 40 years, it will be more than has ever been done.
Marion Burge has changed the address of his paper from Gretna to Kearney. At the latter place he has purchased a farm, but has rented the same and will engage in the real estate business in town.
Walter Joice has suggested to us that we make mention of the fact that an effort is on hand to organize a band, and all interested are requested to report. It is too bad the way the band stand is going to waste. There is no doubt plenty of material in Gordon for a band, if it will get together.
Clyde Fish and family of Adel, Iowa, arrived in Gordon on Wednesday to become residents of Sheridan county, and we take pleasure in welcoming them. Mr. Fish will have charge of a farm belonging to L. Oberwetter.
A great fuss is made these days when a fair damsel makes her stage debut, but the reporters do not seem to be around when she writes on a tear-bespattered paper for her folks to send her money to get home on.
George A. Brooks of Philadelphia won the recent racquet championship of the United States by defeating Quincy A. Shaw Jr., of Boston.
L. Oberwetter has been feeding 100 head of steers this winter that he expects to sell along about April 1st. He raised about 250 acres of corn himself, but he has bought considerable owing to the fact that he has about 700 head of other stock he has fed grain more or less. He says there is considerable corn in these parts for sale. Sheridan county has not been noted for turning out much corn-fed stuff, but if the raising of corn keeps up there will be more of it go from here to the market.
The widow of Carl Fisher, who got killed last fall on Rush Creek, while driving home from Rushville, has instituted suit against Ed. Hippach and his bondsmen for $5,000 damages. She alleges that her husband’s death resulted from his intoxication and that he procured the liquor that caused this intoxication from the saloon of Ed. Hippach.
Booze was on the rampage in Hay Springs Saturday night. One fellow, who was pretty well loaded, kicked the window out of the saloon door and with his hat smashed every light in the store. Such actions need a check for the welfare and reputation and reputation of this town.
The Holly post office will be discontinued Feb. 29, 1904, and all mail addressed to that office after the above date will be delivered from the post office at Rushville, Neb.
Rev. Gammon, who has been having a hard tussle with la grippe all last week and the first of this, is now improving.
Matt Stoehr finished up the painting of the scenery and curtain of the Swigert Opera House this week. He has done some good work and made the hall very presentable. Mr. Swigert has ordered some good footlights, and with them, the stage and its fittings will be very satisfactory for a town of this size. The new chairs have arrived and when all is completed will be sufficient to supply the need of Gordon for some time to come.
Below are the estimated expenses of holding a special election on the question of building a court house in this county, as proposed and furnished to The Gordon Journal by the county clerk. The amount to be levied on the various precincts will be as follows:
Gordon…..$16.70
Clinton….. ..12.60
Rushville…..15.00
Hay Sprgs….16.20
Spring Lake..18.50
Lakeside……17.50
Ellsworth……22.00
Including all the other areas in the county, the total would be $488.10 from precincts; the total cost for the county, $766.10.75 Years Ago - 1929
The American Bank, for ten years one of the financial institu-tions of Gordon, was this week sold to the Gordon State Bank and the First National Bank, and the American Bank is now liquid dating its affairs. F.C. Hill is president and I.S. Magowan, cashier, of the Gordon State Bank, while Lee Fritz is president and B.D. Berkheimer is cashier of the First National Bank.
Through the courtesy of the Dempster-O’Connell Hardware company, the pupils of the high school were privileged to listen in on, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Monday, to the broad-cast of the inaugural ceremonies at Washington, D.C., when Herbert Hoover was sworn in as President of the United States.
W.F. Wyckoff of Gordon suffered bruises and minor cuts Sunday when a car in which he was a passenger overturned up near Bordeaux. The car was owned and driven by Jack Guihn of Rushville and the application of brakes on a slippery curve is said to be responsible. Mr. Guihn suffered a broken collarbone and several ribs. Orlin Kearns, another passenger, sustained a wrenched shoulder and George Barth was slightly cut. The damage to the car was not great.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Sanders were quite surprised last Sunday when all of their children gathered at the parental home to help them celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have lived in the area most all of their married life and have established a fine ranch about five miles southwest of Irwin, with a fine modern home. They have raised a large family of fine boys and girls who were all present to help celebrate the occasion with the exception of Mrs. Elizabeth Sears, who died in 1918. Her three children have made their home with their grandparents since that time. They have 18 grandchildren.
Ernest LeRoy is the name of the new boy at the Adolph Ehlers home in Pole Creek. He arrived on Saturday, March 2, and weighed nine pounds.
Clarence Stouffer has charge of the elevator at Merriman and will move his family there as soon as he can secure a home.
Mrs. A.L. Davis will continue to reside on her farm as her sons are moving two houses on the place together, which will make her a comfortable home.
Clark Tausan recently purchased the Noah Moss farm southeast of Clinton.
The Johns brothers are planning to raise chickens on a large scale this spring, having purchased a 1200-egg incubator. They have built a new brooder, which is heated by pipes from a furnace, running under the floor, and which insures a warm place for the early chicks.
Walter West and family moved into their new home in the south part of town the first of the week.
Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Turnbull and family of Orchard, Nebr., moved to the farm lately vacated by the Short family.
The Hickart family has moved to the Sager place and Mr. Diving has moved his family to the Paulson place which he bought and Albert Johnson has moved into the new house on the Tausan place.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Nydahl are the proud parents of a fine baby boy who arrived on Monday, Feb. 25.
Frank Sawtelle of Merriman was in Gordon Saturday to make the acquaintance of his new daughter, who arrived on February 27.
It is reported that Mrs. John H. Robins is ill with an attack of small pox. We were informed that Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert Robins and children were in Rushville on Saturday where the former were vaccinated against small pox.
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Johnson are the parents of a son, Forrest Eugene, born February 27th.
Pleasant Hill announces that they are proud to note that Ernest Johnson, a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School, who is now attending the Chadron State Teachers College, was voted one of the best debaters of the two teams in a dual debate between Chadron and the Rapid City School of Mines. The “question” was: “Resolved That a substitute for trial by jury should be adopted.” The Chadron team won at Rapid City, and the Rapid City team won at Chadron.
The Journal is in receipt of word that Dr. and Mrs. E.H. Dwyer had arrived at Gibraltar and would spend a few days there before proceeding on their Mediterranean cruise.
Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Folsom have returned from their trip to Arizona. While there their car was stolen and they were forced to return by train as no trace of the car could be found. The car was insured so the loss will not be so heavy as it might have been.
Ray Gelino and Wes Gray, both of whom have been on the road crews of this county the past two years, have been given positions on the state highway crews in permanent positions and will start work for the state in a few days.
Fred Talbot, who formerly lived in Gordon but recently has been living near Norfolk, has returned and will farm this coming year near Denby.
We were informed that Herbert Eichenberger and Willie Harris are headed for home, after spending the winter on the west coast. Ed Plew and Paul Eichenberger were trading in Gordon on Monday.50 Years Ago - 1954
Frank Adamson and Scott Hardin of Pleasant Hill community are both confined to hospitals in Omaha.
Births at Gordon Memorial hospital this week were:
*Mr. and Mrs. George Janssen, a daughter, Sharon Ann, born Feb. 25, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Harold Olson, a son, born March 3, 1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Herman G. Schwarting entertained at a 6 o’clock dinner at their home on Febr. 25 in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary. Fifteen of the Schwartings’ grandchildren were also present for the occasion. The evening was spent playing canasta with prizes awarded to Mrs. Joy Thurlow and Henry Schwarting.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Otis were hosts at a dinner Thursday evening for Mr. and Mrs. John Haslow Sr. Later in the evening a group of friends gathered at the Otis home to surprise Mr. and Mrs. Haslow for a farewell party. The Haslows are moving this week from the neighborhood where they have lived for 14 years. Refreshments were served at the close of the evening.
The first meeting of the Girl Scouts’/ Scout-All was held Febr. 22nd at the City auditorium. Girl scouts and patrol leaders attended the meeting. Raye Jeanne Clark, Lana Holst, Judy Rusk, Sharon Hedrick and Janet Bower led the group in a flag ceremony. Helen Magnuson played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” as part of the requirements to earn a musician’s badge.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Frandsen received word this week that they are grandparents again. Mr. and Mrs. L.D, Griffing have a baby boy born on George Washington’s birthday. The baby weighed eight pounds, and one-half ounce and has been named Lawrence Frandsen. Mrs. Griffing is a daughter of the Frandsens.
Mrs. Adolph Cerny returned home from Denver, Colo. Monday evening. Her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Yardley, returned with her for a few weeks’ vacation.
Callers at the Herschel Hanks home Sunday afternoon were Mr. and Mrs. Millie Cerny, Mrs. Mary Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Coon and Emil and Haskell Frandsen. Sunday evening callers were Mr. and Mrs. Don Coon and Dorothy Hanks.
The little boys of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Michaelson visited their Aunt Minnie Watson for a few days this week.
Flight training continues to hold the interest of many men, students at Compton college, Calif. Victor Hunsaker, flight instructor, is a former Lakeside resident and a brother of Mrs. Roy House and Mrs. Homer Speer.
Obituary: Mrs. S.J. Sterns: Rose Belle Rines was born March 6, 1883 at Altoona, Pa. and died at the Gordon Memorial hospital on Febr. 21, 1954 at the age of 70. In 1913 she came to Nebraska with her sister, Mrs. Harry Schaeffer. On Sept. 2, 1915 she was united in marriage to Sterling J. Sterns of Rushville at Hot Springs, S.D. To this union three children were born. Lavina Patsy died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Sterns operated the livery barn at Rushville. Later they operated the bakery at that place. They then farmed for several years. Mrs. Stern suffered a stroke in 1951 and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since then. On Febr. 11 she had another stroke. Burial was at the Fairview cemetery in Rushville.25 Years Ago - 1979
Mr. and Mrs. Otis R. Rager were honored on their golden wedding anniversary, Feb. 25 at the United Methodist church of Gordon. The hosts for this 50th anniversary occasion were their daughter, Mrs. Clarice Goranson and their son, Clark Rager. Assisting were Gordon Goranson and sons, Lynn , Joe and Leslie as well as Mrs. Helen Rager and her children, Todd, Ty and Tamara. The golden weds celebrated their anniversary in the Friendship Hall which is built on the former location of the parsonage in which they were married on Febr. 26, 1929, by Rev. J.W. Embrey. Attendants at their wedding were Kenneth Hull and Lenice Secrest, both of Gordon.
The Western Dakota vocational technical institute, Rapid City campus, has released the director’s honor roll for post-high students who have maintained A averages during the second quarter of the 9-month programs. Among them is Kirk Kratovil, Gordon, auto body.
Chadron lodge No. 1399 B.P.O.E. Elks is proud to announce the winners of the 1979 most valuable student scholarship leadership awards. Among first place winners who will receive a two-semester scholarship valued at $500 is Jeanette Bruce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Bruce of Gordon.
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submitted by Helen Selee
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