Echoes-March 30, 2005: Sheridan Co. NE GenWeb

Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
Mar 30, 2004
columns by Helen Selee

100 Years Ago - 1905

   We omitted the mention last week of the removal from our vicinity of Alex Ward and family. Last Thursday he loaded his household effects together with machinery and horses going to Iowa to reside in the future.

   Grandfather Owen, whom many of our readers will remember, died at the home of his son in Moon, Mont. on Monday. Mr. Owen spent several months here with his son E.E. Owen. The deceased died of pneumonia. He would have been 83 years old today.

   While playing about the barn which stands on the Let Beckwith place, Saturday, DeWitt Turner, the five-year-old son of Harvey Turner, fell down the stairs leading to the loft and had his right arm broken at the elbow. The little fellow is getting along nicely under the care of Dr. Dwyer who reduced the fracture.

   Mrs. C.H. Couch has moved from the Denny ranch to Rushville, where in company with Mrs. Christena Clark and Miss Grace will operate a restaurant and bakery.

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EZRA WALLS is Dead
   Ezra Walls passed away Thursday morning at the ripe old age of eighty-one. Death was the result of general debility. The funeral services will be held in the M.E. church this afternoon at 2 o’clock.

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   Mrs. Kate Stannard, who came from Chadron to this place last fall, left Wednesday morning with her children for Romer, Nebr., where she has been assigned as a teacher of an Indian day school on the Winnebago Agency.

   Edwin P. Newcomb and mother arrived here Wednesday where Mr. Newcomb will work on the west section under Mr. Grebe. The Newcombs formerly lived at Oakdale.

Merriman News
   Wm. Strube has moved his household goods from the building on South Main street to the rooms over the barber shop.

   Miss Lizzie Swigert and Tyndall Lyon came down from Gordon Friday to see the ball game. Mr. Lyon umpired the game.

    Speaking of the game Friday night between Gordon and our Merriman boys, it resulted in a loss for Merriman, the score being 7 to 1. Our boys, however, are not discouraged and will return the game this Friday. These are little fellows and are young yet, you know, but perhaps they will grow and you Gordon boys had better keep up your practice.

   A son arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Rouden last Thursday.

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Albany Items
   Mr. and Mrs. Sweezy went to Gordon to consult Dr. Dwyer in regard to their baby’s eyes. The little one is nearly blind in one eye.

   Mr. C. Margrave of Gordon drove to Albany on Sunday with Rev. Clark. Presiding Elder Clark held quarterly conference in Merriman on Saturday and Sunday, and preached to a large crowd in Albany on Sunday also.

   Burt Bouck delivered a load of potatoes in Gordon on Saturday.

   Mr. Robinson came down from Rushville to visit his family here.

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   The battleship Kansas will be christened by breaking a bottle of Kansas crude oil over her prow in the place of a bottle of champagne, as is the usual custom. This is the idea of Governor Hoch.

   Hon. William H. Taft has accepted the invitation of the National Geographical Society at Washington to address the society on the Philippines.

WINNIPEG, Man.--Sandercock and McDonald, highwaymen, were sentenced by Judge Richards to fifteen and ten years respectively, with seventy-five lashes, for robbery with violence from Winnipeg merchants, and received the first installment of twenty-five lashes. McDonald made a great uproar and from the first stroke of the dreaded cat-o-nine-tails screamed horribly and had to be carried to his cell. Sandercock groaned in a manner that made his punishment seem severe.

A Massachusetts manufacturer, in payment of his 700 operatives, gave each one a crisp new ten dollar bill on Saturday night. Each bill was marked. By the Tuesday following, 410 of these 700 bills had been deposited in the banks by saloon keepers.

75 Years Ago - 1930

   In one of the most spirited city elections in years, Sunday picture shows carried and Sam Yowell was chosen mayor of Gordon on Tuesday. The number of ballots cast were 832.    There were contests for practically every office, but the main interest seemed to be centered in the question of allowing picture shows to be shown on Sundays and in the race for Mayor. The votes were as follows:
Sunday Shows: 550 yes - 267 no
MAYOR:
Yowell…………452
Snyder………….357
Anna Dam ran unopposed for city clerk and received 725 votes.
   In the special election held on Thursday the water bond issue carried with 262 votes for and only 52 against. Interest in the project was not great, since everyone seemed to feel that the improvement was needed and that it would carry without trouble. The city council will open bids Thursday afternoon for the construction of a new well and the laying of additional water mains. It is expected that work will start at once if a contract is let, and the new addition to the system will be working by July 1st.

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   Word has been received in Gordon Wednesday of the death that morning of Mrs. G.W. Beamer, widow of the late “Box O” Beamer, and mother of William Beaver of this city. Mrs. Beamer had been making her home with a daughter, Mrs. Charles Webster in Jacksonville, Fla., and she died there. Mrs. Beamer and her husband were pioneer settlers in this vicinity and here they made a host of friends, Mr. Beamer dying in 1921. Mrs. Webster, the daughter, is accompanying her mother’s body to Gordon and funeral arrangements will be completed after the arrival.

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    H.C. Bartow is erecting a new residence in the northeast part of town.

   John Kiser broke his leg on April 1st while working about his farm. He was brought to Gordon for medical attention.

   Burt Sones and family have moved into the Miller place on Pole Creek. L.N. Downing purchased the farm that Mr. Sones previously owned.

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   They tell us our Gordon High School sheik calls his girl “powdered sugar” because she uses so much make-up.

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   Andrew Mellen, now 75 years old, is the head, through ownership, of half a dozen of the greatest corporations in the world. Under three Presidents, he has shown himself to be one of our greatest Secretaries of the Treasury, reducing the public debt by thousands of millions each year. If Mr. Mellen were a railroad conductor, they would tell him he was too old and he would have to give up his job. If he were a workman seeking employment, he would have to get his hair dyed black and lie about his age. The best years of a man’s life, for useful work and for intellectual enjoyment, should come after seventy. At ninety, a man should rest.

   In a warmly contested election in Clinton, J.M. Moss was re-elected Mayor by a small margin over Ray O. Lyon. Considerable was manifest and a good vote turned out.

   Mrs. J.R. Snyder entertained 12 men at a surprise birthday dinner on Wednesday evening of this week, in honor of the birthday of her husband. A wonderful dinner was served, including a birthday cake with 33 candles. Later, bridge was enjoyed until midnight. The guests were Messrs. Charles McGaughey, C.H. Bartow, William Jones, Joe Leedom, Dwight Griswold, R.G. Reid, F.S. Hill, Dale Sorenson, Roy Rasmussen, Claude Saults, William A. Morey and Doctor Snyder.

   A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean Dunlap of Shoshoni, Wyo., on March 29th. Both the father and mother formerly lived at Gordon.

   Dr. Dwyer and his nurse, Miss Louise Mathis, were called to meet the eastbound passenger train early Saturday morning, to assist the stork in the arrival of an 8-pound boy, born to Mr. and Mrs. McLean C. Harding of Chicago. The train was delayed for about 45 minutes here. the mother and baby proceeded on to their home in Chicago.

   All doctors and parents will be interested in news of a “meningitis carrier,” a nineteen year old youth, William Fehiker, in the reformatory for boys at Boonville, Mo. Five superinten-dents and inmates with whom he came in contact, died of meningitis, showing how easily the deadly disease may be contracted.

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   An airplane driven by a Diesel engine flew from Detroit to Miami in ten hours and fifteen minutes without stopping, with Chief Engineer Woolson of the Packard company and Walter Lees, pilot. And the trip cost for fuel was $8.50.

   Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Barker returned Friday of last week after spending several days visiting relatives and friends at Sioux City and Grinnell, Iowa. They left the first of the week for Rushville, where they will make their home.

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OBITUARIES
   Olive Buckminster: Olive Alice Thompson was born in Oklahoma in 1889 and passed away at Norfolk, Nebraska on March 28, 1930 at the age of 40 years and 4 months. When a small child her parents moved to Richardson County, Nebraska, where she grew to womanhood. In the year 1910 she was united in marriage to George Buckminster. They came west where they homesteaded south of Merriman, remaining for a few years. In 1922 she, with her family, moved to Gordon where she has since made her home. She leaves to mourn her, her husband and a daughter, Fern; her mother, three sisters, three brothers, all of Richardson County, and a host of relatives and friends. Olive was of a kind and sweet disposition. She was a faithful wife and mother and was a member of the Presbyterian church. She was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand wherever she was called. The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, being conducted by the Rev. Fenton C. Jones, and interment was made in the Gordon cemetery.

50 Years Ago - 1955

   John Borman and Gloria Huckfeldt were crowned King and Queen of Sports at the annual Pep club prom, Saturday evening at the high school gym. Attendants were Dale Downing, Ward Klingebiel, Mac Hull, Sam Oldenburg, Susan Shald, Deanna Johnson, Audrey Swick and Anna Dohse. Immediately preceding the ceremony, the presidents-elect of the Pep and G clubs were introduced, Pep club -- Sandra Morris by Marlys Suhr; and G. Club -- Keith Mott by Dale Downing.

   Fifty-three rural school students participated in the spelling contest held Saturday, March 26 at Rushville. Winner in the oral contest was John Sellers; Carole Berndt was second, and Margaret Eaton, third.

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   Winter weather made its unwelcome appearance again Thursday and lasted through Saturday. Friday morning the thermometer register 10 degrees below zero, an all-time low for this time of year, with some snow and a cold north wind.

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   Mr. and Mrs. Gene Harris entertained at dinner Friday, March 25, honoring the birthday of Mrs. Harris’ father, Bruce Morris. Guests included the honoree and Mrs. Morris and Mr. and Mrs. William Rasmussen of Rushville.

   Mrs. G.B. Germany and Mrs. Duane Ruse entertained at a pre-nuptial shower Friday evening honoring Beverly Bruce and Dale Hatch. Eighty-five guests gathered at the Germany home for the event.

   Births at the Gordon Memorial hospital recently included those to:
*Mr. and Mrs. Winston Nelson, Gordon, a son, Gary Elwood, born March 23, 1955.
*Mr. and Mrs. Russell Knudsen, Cody, a daughter, Evonne Carol, born March 25, 1955.
*Mr. and Mrs. Leo Petzold, Gordon, a son, Steven Dean, born March 28, 1955.
*Mr. and Mrs. Donald Parkhurst, Gordon, a daughter, Danita June, born Mar 29, 1955.
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   Janet Rash, a University of Nebraska senior from Gordon, was announced today as a new member of the university chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, national honorary music fraternity. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross D. Rash of Gordon. Membership in the honorary is based on scholarship and musical ability. She was one of seven university students selected for membership.

   Larry Holst, AKAN, arrived in Gordon Saturday evening to spend a 15-day leave with his wife and with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Serene Holst. Following his leave he will return to the USS Intrepid.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Timm, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Timm and Lila Lee and Howard Hardin, returned to Gordon Friday, after spending 10 days visiting with Sgt. and Mrs. Walter Timm of El Paso, Tex.

   Pvt. Thomas Myers, formerly stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo., arrived in Gordon Sunday, March 20 to spend a 10-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C,H, Myers. He left Tuesday to report to Ft. Campbell, Ky., where he will be stationed.

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OBITUARIES
   C.A. Stratton. Charles Aubrey Stratton was born at Des Moines, Iowa, on March 20, 1877. He suffered a severe stroke of paralysis on Monday evening and died at the Gordon Memorial hospital, at Gordon, Nebr. on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 1955, ages 77 years, 11 months and 25 days. Mr. Stratton was united in marriage to Goldie McNamee on April 13, 1902, at Merriman, Nebr. Mr. Stratton resided in the Gordon Community for 65 years. He believed Gordon to be a friendly town, a good place to live. He possessed a friendly personality. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Walter Perry and Mrs. Frank Davidson of Portland, Ore; two sisters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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   Thomas Rohrer Hardin, son of William D. and Hattie Hardin was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Aug. 20, 1886 and died March 18, 1955 in the Gordon hospital at the age of 68. He came to Sheridan county in 1907 and took up a homestead south of the Niobrara river. In 1923 he moved to a ranch east of Gordon and remained there till 1947. His last years were spent on a cattle ranch 22 miles south of Gordon. On March 16, 1944 he was united in marriage to Miss Esther Kearney at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He is survived by his widow and a son by a previous marriage, W.D. Hardin, San Francisco, Calif., a brother Dudley M. Hardin and a nephew Kenneth of Gordon. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church, Tuesday at 2 p.m. and interment made in the Gordon cemetery. Pall-bearers were: Leonard Sandage, Bernard Sandage, Melvin Armstrong, W.J. Magowan, Sid Waterman and Ben Schaer.

25 Years Ago - 1980

   A long-established Gordon business changed hands early in March when Walt and Ben Cady bought the Gordon Lumber Company from Louis and Arlene Hardin. Mr. Hardin has been identified with the lumber yard for over 30 years. He went to work there when the business was owned by Searle and Chapin and H.M. Rhodes was the manager. Later when Mr. Rhodes retired, Louie succeeded him as manager. Seven years ago, the Hardins purchased the yard and changed the name to Gordon Lumber company. Ben Cady has liven in Gordon for some years, moving here from Merriman. His son Walt comes from Valentine where he was associated with the Fullerton Lumber Co.

   Dwain Sipp’s birthday was celebrated Saturday evening. Those present for the dinner and birthday cake were Mr. and Mrs. William Leach, Mr. and Mrs. John Leach, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Leach, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fry, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Sipp, William Goucher, Elmer Thayer, Charlotte Ladely and Mr. and Mrs. James Ferguson of Viewfield, S.D.

   A birthday dinner in honor of Elmer Thayer was held recently at the Food Bowl in Rushville. Those present who helped celebrate the birthday were Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ferrell, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hodgson, Bill Goucher, Rev. and Mrs. Harold Holmes and Charlotte Ladely. Following the dinner, birthday cake was enjoyed by the group.

   The Rev. Don Mink was installed as minister of missions at the Church of God on Friday, March 14. Mr. Mink comes to Gordon from Alliance. The Minks have three children: Debbie, Melody and Nathan. Also on Friday, March 14, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Coleman were installed as part-time ministers of music at the Church of God. Mr. Coleman will continue to pursue carpenter work as his main source of income. Mrs. Coleman is working as a teacher’s aide at the Gordon high school. The Colemans have two daughters: Sherri and Shelli.

OBITUARY
   Roy Tenney Buckles was born Sept. 19, 1919 to James and May Schulz Buckles in Merriman, and died of a heart attack in Gordon on March 14, 1980.

   He served in the U.S. Navy from Feb. 26, 1942 until Oct. 18, 1945 as a chief machinists mate. On Sept. 3, 1944 he was united in marriage to Dena D. Pfaffengut in San Francisco, Calif. Three children were born to this union.

   Roy lived in the Merriman and Gordon areas throughout his life, working primarily as a trucker, carpenter, mechanic and parts man. He was employed as a parts man by Modern Farm Equipment, Inc. in Gordon at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife, Dena; son, Wayne R. and wife Marilyn of Garland, Texas; daughters Lorraine J. May and husband Thomas of Des Moines, Iowa., and Elaine M. Brammer and husband Bill of Coppell, Tex; one grandson, Wayne Mark Buckles; brothers, Jim, Ben, Bob, Frank and Charles; and sisters, Ava McBeth, Belle Dahlgren and Marie Jones. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Methodist church in Gordon with Fr. John Nelson and Fr. Rodney Michel officiating. Burial was in Gordon cemetery.

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