Echoes-Mar 24 2004: Sheridan Co. NE GenWeb

Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
Mar 24, 2004
columns by Helen Selee

100 Years Ago - 1904

   No wonder the wind blew Sunday; J.R. Jordan was ready to start on his return to Sheridan county. And no wonder the westbound train was late on Tuesday morning, for J.R. was on board and had stirred up such a breeze that a headwind grew strong enough to cause the delay. Mr. Jordan was on the way to Rushville to take charge of the blacksmith and wagon works recently put in there by the Jordan Hardware company. It is hardly necessary to say to most of our readers that he is a competent mechanic for the place.

   Postmaster Crowder seems to stand in high favor with the powers that be in Washington. Not only did they grant him leave of absence to take a run around the horn, but when he reached home he received a new commission authorizing him to serve four years more at the old stand.

   The first experience with a new incubator furnished an agreeable surprise to Mrs. Bottenberg when, after two mishaps with the machine, she found a brood of fifty-five fine, healthy chicks in the tray, and all but two are doing well.

   The Swigert Opera House installed a system of gas lights similar to the Jordan Hardware Company’s, except on a larger scale.

   The Republicans of the Sixth Congressional District met on the 17th at Alliance. They agreed to endorse Roosevelt and J.L. Webster. They endorsed M.P. Kincaid and his 640-acre home-stead bill. The delegates elected to the national convention in Chicago are E.C. Harris of Chadron and W.P. Miles of Sidney. The alternates were Tom Wright of Ansley and J. Ellis of Alliance. Congressman Kincaid was nominated for his second term. The citizens of his home town (O’Neill) will therein recognize the necessity of standing pat in favor of their honored citizen.

   Buffalo Bill, the world-famous frontiersman and Indian fighter, has just applied for a divorce on the ground that he is afraid of his wife with whom he has lived, more or less, for forty years. He has sued her for a divorce also on the grounds that she has refused to entertain what he calls his “friends” at their home, but these friends being gamblers and prostitutes Mrs. Buffalo legally or morally is not obliged to have them under her roof. Mr. Buffalo is one of those reputable devils that we do not take much stock in. His later life has been one of gambling and debauchery. The people of North Platte, where Cody lives, denounce his actions against his wife.

   July 1st the national debt was over 914 millions of dollars, with over 214 millions idle in the treasury, and we often hear that the government has trouble to keep the surplus in the treasury from becoming too large. In such a country what is the use of issuing bonds? To tell the truth it seldom ought to be used in these days. By a special tax the people could put money into the treasury fast enough for any ordinary purpose and it is far cheaper than to issue bonds that double in value before paid.

   President Smith of the Utah Mormons has admitted that the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy, which is true and the high-cockalorums of a lot of churches who have been bomb-blasting the air shamefully with false accusations of polygamy against the Latter-day Saints, had better take a tumble. The Book of Mormon teaches of Christ the same as the Bible and the teachings seem to conform, but a majority of Christians have heard some ignoramus of a preacher say hard things about it and they follow in his benighted footsteps. Polygamy never came through the Book of Mormon, and the Latter-day Saints who adhere to this book are not polygamists and they also adhere to the Bible. We have seen Latter-day Saints who seemed to serve the Lord better than the writer and a whole lot of professed Christians, and let him that is perfect “cast the first stone.”

   The Nye company that played here last week nearly had the play of the first night ruined because one fellow fell off the stage behind the scenes in the last act and was disabled for the evening. Their work the balance of the week was fairly good, but their blood and thunder plays are a very poor thing for young people to be entertained by---or for older people either. We believe in good entertainment, but not in rot.

   Geo. Jones claims that he has hatched out a batch of young chickens. But we have an idea that Mrs. Jones and the old hen are the main factors in the chicken house.

   Newt. Parker of Pole Creek has disposed of his possessions there to Fred and George Margrave who will take possession of the same soon. Mr. Parker got Fred’s Gordon residence in the deal and will move to town and occupy the same.

   C.C. Childers and his son Wm. have arranged with S.H. Ladd to have charge of his band of sheep the coming summer. The latter has gone down to work and the farmer and his wife will move down to the scene of the action in a short time.

   Rollin Hanchette returned to Gordon the first of the week after having spent some time visiting at various places over the country.

   Mrs. McDowell is selling the best black mercerized skirts at $1 and up.

   As a new industry we make mention of the fact that Jules A. Sandoz has made today a shipment east of fruit trees of his own raising.

   Two of Rushville’s most accomplished young ladies have made a wager to walk to Gordon a week from tomorrow.

75 Years Ago - 1929
   No trace has yet been found of the 6-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Reeves, living northwest of Gordon, who strayed away last Tuesday and was lost in the heavy snow storm that came up that day. The snow that fell without ceasing for almost 72 hours was fanned by a strong wind and there are drifts of snow ten to twelve feet high upon which the warm days since Saturday have made no impression. Many are the tales of bravery and privation endured by the searchers. One night 90 men were forced to take shelter in the modest little home of Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. There was no room for anyone to lie down and throughout the long night these brave men, anxious to relieve the strain of uncertainty upon the distracted parents, waited the coming of the first faint signs of daylight so that they might resume the weary tramping through the snow. Cars were started out to bring food to the men, but they were stranded long before they could reach the hungry searchers. When finally on Friday relief reached them, many were entirely worn out and suffering exceedingly from long, weary hours and no food. It is planned to watch all canyons and gullies as the snow goes, in hopes that the little body may be recovered before it is washed into streams which originate in the area. It is a sad case, indeed, and the sympathy of all go out to the bereaved parents.

    Scoutmaster Ted Lewis has completed the organization of a troop of Boy Scouts and their first regular meeting was held last Friday. The following boys have become members: Carl Anderson, Emmett Anderson, Tom Annett, James Brooks, Kermit Coon, Willard Ellard, Floyd Frohman, Carl Jensen, William Lewis, Dwight Margrave, Albert McKenzie, Tarz Moss, Glen Pike, Norman Spann, Robert Robt. Stannard, Shirley Stannard, Fay Steinhaus, Keith Smith, Jack Thompson, Fay Thompson, Clarence Wilhite, Kenneth Swaney, E. Hoffman, Chester Maddox, Gus Haller, Mac Boyle, Leon Reed, Leo Maddox, Roy Woodden, Emery Reed, Raymond Versaw, Kenneth Cunningham, Leonard Thornquist.

   All laws pertaining to the purity of the species seems to have been broken with the appearance of the strange animal, “The Rabbicat” on the streets of Gordon. This strange animal has been captured by Joseph Johndreau, who still has him in his possession. The animal has the head and fore-quarters of a cat, while the hind quarters are those of a rabbit. When the animal moves, it hops like a rabbit; its front feet “single-foot” and altogether it is an odd sight.

   Mrs. William Fuchser and little son are given space in the current issue of The Purina Poultryman, a national poultry magazine read by over a million and a half poultry producers in the United States and Canada. Mrs. Fuchser is shown holding a four-months-old pullet and near by is her little son with an egg. The picture tells the story that Mrs. Fuchser was able to make her pullets lay at four months of age, which is an exceptionally early age to get egg production. The pictures of Mrs. Fuchser and her son are shown on a page entitled “Yard Talk.”

   Sam S. Johnson and Miss Ida Jacobson were married at Newman Grove, Nebr., on March 18. Mr. Johnson farmed one of George Tausan’s places last year.

   Mr. C.M. Stark of Chappell will arrive here Sunday to make his home in Gordon. He is a partner with C.M. Jewell in the Jewell & Stark Meat market.

   Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hupp are the parents of a son born March 15th.

   Mr. and Mrs. Louis Burleigh are the parents of a little daughter, Eleanor Elaine, born Saturday, March 16th.

   The South Hills school is closed this week on account of the teacher, Miss Clydene Rosseter, having the mumps.

   Fred Cerny of Clinton is on the job again at the Parvin Garage, after an attack of the mumps.

   Walter Kime had the misfortune to have his horse fall with him, breaking his leg between the knee and the ankle on Thursday. Dr. Smith was called. Walter seems to be getting along nicely.

   Frank and Fred Reeves arrived here Wednesday from Montana to assist their brother, Willie Reeves, in the search for his little son.

   Mr. and Mrs. Fred Talbot are moving onto a farm at Denby, S.D. , where they will farm the coming year. Mr. Talbot formerly lived here and has many friends here.

Obituary: Roscoe L. Wilhite.
   Roscoe L. Wilhite was born at Sullivan, Indiana, on March 9th, 1880. He was a son of William C. Wilhite, who was born in Hutchenville, Illinois, and Maria S. Wilhite, who was born in England. Roscoe and his parents were members of the Scamahorn Colony that came from Indiana in 1884. He was married to Olga M. Waddill on Nov. 6, 1904. Two sons were born to this union: Donald, who is attending the state university at Lincoln, and Deane who is still in high school at Rushville. He passed away about six o’clock on March 12, 1929, at his home in Rushville, Nebr. at the age of 49 years and 3 days. He was County Attorney for Sheridan county for eight years, and at the time of his death he was president of the Sheridan County Bar Association. His father and mother preceded him in death several years. Two brothers, Bert and Olia, live in Gordon and one brother, John, lives in Los Angeles. Funeral services were held in Rushville Saturday and interment was in the Gordon cemetery.

50 Years Ago - 1954
   Carl Jensen, a native of Gordon, has been appointed commission agent here for the Continental Oil Company, it was announced recently by Conoco’s Lincoln division. Mr. Jensen, who received his elementary and secondary education in Gordon, in 1939 went to California where he was employed as a salesman. In 1947, he returned to Gordon as the operator of a Conoco service station. Early in 1951 he engaged in farming in this vicinity, an occupation he has followed until his recent appointment with Conoco. Mr. Jensen is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Lions club. He is active in civic affairs and is an avid sportsman.

   William Jeffers, Gordon’s police chief for four and a half years, on Tuesday completed his filing as candidate for sheriff of Sheridan county. Mr. Jeffers will run on the republican ticket. Jeffers has been working in Lincoln for several months but now will be working here. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffers and family returned to Gordon Monday and have secured an apartment above the Gamble store.

   Honoring Mr. and Mrs. John Shanks on their golden wedding anniversary, a family dinner was held at their home Tuesday, March 16th. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shanks and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shanks and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Harris and family, and the honorees. John Shanks and Rebecca Suitor were married March 16, 1904, in Alma, Nebr., and came to Gordon in 1911.

    Private Leonard M. Holmgrain, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Holmgrain, Gordon, has been assigned duty with the army’s newest weapon, the guided missile. Private Holmgrain’s assignment is with the First Guided Missile Brigade, stationed at the anti-aircraft artillery and Guided Missile Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. A graduate of Gordon High School, Private Holmgrain attended Chadron State College prior to his entrance into the army on Aug. 25, 1953.

   Pfc. James Hickman, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry F. Hickman, Gordon, is now in the final phase of Exercise Ski Jump, the army’s 1954 mountain and cold weather maneuver at Camp Hale, high in the Colorado Rockies. Hickman is a cannoneer in Battery A of the Fourth Field Artillery Battalion, which is the only mule-borne artillery unit in the entire army.

   With Our Boys in the Service
*Pvt. J. Rodney Swanson, Fort Ord, Calif.
*S/Sgt. Russell Conway, 20th Medical Group, c/o PM, New York, New York.
*Billie V. Kayton, USS Pollax, FPO, San Francisco, Calif.
*2nd Lt. John M. Robson, APO, San Francisco, Calif.
*Pvt. Robert L. Moore, Fort Riley, Kansas.
*Pvt. Otis C. Rager, Fort Lee, Virginia.

    Twenty-two members of the seventh grade square dance club met at the J.D. Borman home last Saturday evening, surprising Jimmy Borman on his 13th birthday. The evening was spent square dancing. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Chamberlin, Miss Greenamyre, and Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Borman were sponsors.

BIRTHS
*Mr. and Mrs. Bill Kubo, a son, Monte Allen, March 13, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. John Winter, a son, John Madison, born March 17, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Donald Alexander, a daughter, Kimberly Kaye, Mar. 20, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cerny, a daughter, born March 23, 1954.
*Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dahlgren, a son, Mark Melvin, March 23, 1954.

25 Years Ago - 1979
   All present teachers employed in District No. 1 were re-elected for the 1979-80 school year at the regular March meeting of the board of education.
   The Sheridan county spelling contest was held March 17, 1979 at the Gordon Elementary school auditorium. The winners at each grade level received medals, first place-gold, second place-silver, and third place-bronze. The winners are: 1st grade: Jeff Milburn, Donell Anderson, Renee Werts. 2nd grade: Scott Linders, Brenda Stone, Tiffany Morris. 3rd grade: Tom Sullivan, Bobby Tuchek, Teresa Allen. 4th grade: Lisa Stava, Kelly Werts, Kimmy Hankins. 5th grade: Jeri Dobry, Julie Loomis, Kelly Siders. 6th grade: Andrea Otte, Amy Kamerzell, Jeff Shald. 7th grade: DeOnna Hotz, Tammy Green, Michele Dishong. 8th grade: Janice Roberts, Lavon Krejci, Sheryl Siegmund. Janice Roberts received a large trophy as the winner of the county competition, and will attend the Omaha World Herald contest in Omaha on April 7th.

   Two students have completed Bryan hospital’s 18-month nurse anesthetist training program and will be honored at a graduation ceremony March 30. Graduates are Douglas R. Colling of Kearney and Michael D. Hull of Gordon. Hull is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Hull of Gordon.

   The Gordon Jaycees met Thursday, March 15, at the Hacienda and election of officers for the coming year was held. Officers were elected as follows: president, Ross Schmidt; individual develop-ment vice-president, Don Scheumann; chapter manage-ment vice president, Chuck Messersmith; membership vice-president, Wayne Muirhead; secretary, Neal Christian; treasurer, Doug Nelson; directors, Terry Waite, Tom Morris, Steve Petersen, Charley Buckingham. Installation of these officers will be held in late April.

   Rachel Amber Peters was awarded the title of Honorary Girl Scout for being the first girl born in Gordon hospital during Girl Scout week. Miss Peters is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Peters of Rushville, and was born Saturday, March 17th. The mother and baby were presented with flowers and a gift from the local girl scout troops by Sherry Jennings, one of the local leaders, representing the scout troops.

    Second Lieutenant Mary L. Wilson, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Donald Wilson of Gordon, was graduated from the USAF executive support officers school at Kessler AFB, Mississippi on Feb. 22, 1979. Lt. Wilson recently graduated from officers training school at Lackland AFB, Tex. and will now join her husband, Major Jack D. Wilson at Offut AFB, Omaha.

   Mr. and Mrs. John Egli observed their 49th wedding anniversary quietly at their home on Thursday, March 8. Family members and a few close friends came during the afternoon and evening to convey their congratulations and well-wishes. To make their day complete, their daughters from distances “reached out and touched them” with telephone calls. The Eglis were dinner guests that day of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Ragsdale and the following Sunday they dined with Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Benson.

   Carmen Shanks, senior princess of Bethel 50, International Order of Job’s Daughters, Gordon, has been elected to represent Bethel 50 in the Miss Nebraska Job’s Daughters pageant at the Grand Bethel session to be held June 13-17 in Scottsbluff. Carmen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Shanks and a senior at Gordon High School.

   Sgt. Cash Ostrander was meritoriously promoted to his rank in the marine corps on Dec. 15, 1978. Ostrander is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Ostrander of Rushville and a grandson of Jules A. Sandoz of Gordon. He has trained as an infantryman, a field radio operator and a file clerk.

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