June 12, 2004 Echoes: Sheridan Co. NE GenWeb

Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past, May 12, 2004 columns by Helen Selee

100 Years Ago - 1904
EIGHTH GRAD EXAMINATIONS
The pupils’ eighth grade examinations will be as follows: at Gordon May 16 and 17, at Rushville May 20 and 21, at Hay Springs, May 23 and 24. The examinations are free for all who have completed the eighth grade. A common school diploma will be issued to all who pass the examination. An average of eighty per cent is required and no branch must be below seventy per cent. The questions are issued by the state supt. and the passing grade fixed high because the pupil who has a common school diploma is to be admitted into the ninth grade of any high school without further examination. The examinations will be held in the public school buildings in each place.
Hay Springs has refused to grant a saloon a license by a vote of the trustees of 1-to-4 against. There were two applications. The saloon there last year, as saloons generally do, paid no attention to law or order, and it seems that the citizens grew very weary of what is supposed to be a good thing.
Earl Hoffman and Harry Lemen have gone into a partnership on a spud deal and are putting in ten acres of Sheridan county fame. We hope the boys will realize well from their crop.
The United States canal commission took formal possession of the Panama Canal route and of the property of the Panama Canal Company. Immediately after the transfer, the United States flag was hoisted over the legation and over the canal offices.
Questions relation to the Panama canal, general politics and departmental matters were the subjects under consideration at the meeting of the cabinet in Washington D.C. Friday. While the President himself does not expect to deliver political speeches during the approaching campaign, it is said that several members of the cabinet will take an active part in the contest. Secretaries Taft, Shaw, Moody, Wilson and Attorney General Knox are all expected to deliver important speeches, and some of them will speak many times. It is said, also, that Speaker Cannon will make an extensive tour of the country, campaigning wherever his services seem to be needed most.
A team belonging to John Carver of Rushville ran away on the streets of Gordon last Wednesday. The buggy was broken up some.
The school board elected only three teachers last Saturday night, viz: Misses Susie and Kate Tupper and Miss Lou Brewer. In our opinion the choice so far has been wise. The board will meet again Saturday night to try to finish the election of teachers.
S.H. Hess from near Clinton made a deal with W.G. Traub the first of the week to furnish him $600 worth of lumber for a new house to be built on his farm. He had figured with parties in Chicago, Chadron and Rushville, but Gordon took the cake and Mr. Traub did the frosting.
The Trueblood home had a nice porch added in front recently. Fred Duerfeldt had charge of the work.
Judd Morey and Mr. Burr have not been as well as usual for the past several days. W.C. Wilhite is able to be around again after being among the sick for about ten days.
Chas. Sailor is village clerk instead of Gene Brown, who has resigned.
While Miss McLaughlin was horseback riding Monday evening her horse ran away with her. As we are informed, she was not seriously hurt, except that peculiar injury common and generally expected of women,------she fainted after it was over.
DIED
On Tuesday, May 10, 1904, at 5 o’clock a.m., Mrs. C.K. Traub, aged 64 years, 3 months and 1 day, after having been ailing for several weeks. Christina Hoffman was born in Germany, Feb. 10, 1840. In October 1866 she married David Ziegler, who died in March 1871. To them were born three children, Christ, Gottliebe and one who died in infancy. In June 1872, she was married to C.K. Traub. To this union were born five children, three of whom died in infancy. Carl, at the age of 16, died near Gordon. She came to the United States with her husband and family in 1882, and lived near Gordon for nearly 17 years. She was baptized, confirmed and brought up in the Lutheran Church and has always taken a great interest in that church’s work. She leaves a sorrowing husband and three children and also several grandchildren, with many friends to mourn her death. Her surviving children are: Christ Ziegler and Mrs. Lee Fritz, both of Rushville, Neb., and Mrs. Henry Bonaman of Gordon, Neb. Her father, Conrad Hoffman died in 1893 aged 81 years and her mother still lives in Germany aged 86 years. She was always warm hearted and sympathetic and quite unselfish while always taking great pleasure in helping others. The funeral services were conducted from the M.E. church Wednesday at 10 o’clock a.m. by Rev. J.P. McIntyre. A large number of friends of the deceased and her family were in attendance, many going to the cemetery where the last of the sad ceremonies were said.
The governor and lots of people are just faunching around about itch in cattle, and quarantine of measles in children, and are willing to take the word of scientists in regard to these matters. But when scientists tell the people that alcohol and cigarettes have ruined many an old man and are stunting the young men by the thousands, they can hardly get a hearing. This "grabbing at gnats and swallowing camels" by the officials and the people is inclined to make Justice ashamed of her birth.
The Gordon schools report for the past month for those who were neither absent nor tardy include (from high school through First Primary): Ethel Ireland, Mary VanBuskirk, Octavia Heimer, Flora French, Loyd Jordan, Jennie Tennant, Nellie Skinner, Willie Traub, Jessie Russ, Joy Mills, Richard Lessert, Raymond Johns, Minnie Finger, Myrtle Parker, Ray Sailor, Georgie Lyon, Lester Fritz, Frank Mitchell, Kate Morris, Howell Jones, Ruth French, Bessie Hanchett, Elizabeth Cottier, Bonnie Lemen, Warren Jones, Alvin Johns, Henry Lefler, Eva Ross, Grace Turner, Florence Parker, Frank McCune, Fred Hoffman, Fern Parker, Willie Coffey, Roger Jones, Florence Griswold, Nioma Yockey, Anna Johnson, Cecil Dickinson, Leah Powell, Albert Johnson and Pansy Woodruff.
F.M. Jennings has taken the place of A.J. Slocum as marshal at Rushville.
An accident happened to John C. Gribble, one of the pioneer farmer citizens residing four miles southwest of Dakota City, that may prove fatal. He was crossing his barnyard about dark when a young stallion chased him down and ran over him, trampling him down and badly bruising him up around the face and breast.
It is no use being better than others unless we are better than our old selves.

75 Years Ago - 1929
Lloyd Linden of Hay Springs died when falling from his tractor on Tuesday, May 7, 1929 in a terrible accident. Mr. Linden was operating a three-plow tractor, breaking prairie, and it appears that he stepped from the tractor to the plow frame to adjust a lever that raises the plows, when the lever apparently broke off, throwing Mr. Linden under the plows. He was dragged about a hundred yards to the end of the field when the tractor went on through a fence and then made a large circle and finally turned back and was making a series of circles when it was noticed by a neighbor who came over to see what was wrong. The deceased was dead when found.
Another Hay Springs death was reported when George Hunter passed away at the Hay Springs hospital last Saturday morning, and on the same day County Attorney Jordan convened a coroner’s jury to inquire into the cause of his death. The verdict of the jury was "That George Hunter came to his death on May 4, 1929, from the effects of a blow on his head struck by Wes Jacobs with a club on April 22, 1929, in Sheridan county, Nebraska. A complaint charging murder in the second degree has been filed against Wes Jacobs and he is in county jail at Rushville awaiting the preliminary hearing which will probably be held some time next week. If there is a bind over in this case, after the preliminary hearing in County Court, the District Court trial will probably occur at the next jury term in November."
County Attorney Lloyd Jordan went to Lincoln this week to attend a meeting of the Board of Pardons to protest against the commutation of the sentence of Henry Sherman who is now destined to go to the electric chair this month for the murder of the Pochon family. About 1,700 people signed the petitions prepared by Jordan objecting to the commutation.
The Merchants Hotel of Gordon has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Decker to Wm. H. Zilmer. Mr. Zilmer is an experienced hotel man. He is married and has three children, who are moving here, and he will have active charge of the business. Mr. and Mrs. Decker, since taking possession of the Merchants Hotel, having completely remodeled the interior and added a third story. These additions gave Gordon a very fine hotel and in making the changes, Mr. and Mrs. Decker did a very fine thing for the city. Mr. Zilmer will likely take possession of the business the first of next week.
The city council organized for the new year at their meeting last Thursday night. B.V. Stouffer will serve as president of the council, while the new Councilmen, I.J. Trueblood and Joe W. Leedom, were assigned to the departments of water plant and sewers and Parks and creek, respectively. No action was taken on the resignation of Kenneth Hull as City Clerk, and Mr. Hull will likely serve until a successor is appointed.
The Gordon entries in the high school and grade school track meet at Hot Springs last Saturday made a good showing. Keith Cunningham of Gordon, running in the grade school events, carried off most of the honors by taking first in the 100-yard dash and in the broad jump, and second in the 50-yard dash. Woodrow Metzger won second in the shot put in the high school category. Those who represented Gordon were, Versaw, Dixon, Metzger, Jamison, Lee, Shadbolt, Anderson, McGaughey and Conner for the high school and Cunningham for the 8th grade.
Obituary:
Mary Jane Ling: Mary Jane Ling, daughter of John W. and Ann E. Ling, was born September 8, 1841, in Bedford, Pa. and passed away on April 30, 1929, at her home in Gordon, Nebraska, at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 2 days. She is the oldest of twelve children, who had all passed into eternity except two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Livesay and Mrs. Walter Ballenger, who reside in Illinois. She was united in marriage to Leland Samuel Griffith in Bedford, Pa, Nov. 18, 1862. In later years they made their home with their daughter, Mrs. W.E. Hand at Greenwood, and from there came to Gordon in 1907 and located on a farm four and a half miles west and one half mile south of town. Here for the third time they built up a home, where they lived until 1912 when they moved into town. A great deal of their time since then has been spent going to and from the farm. Though she suffered much the last years of her life, she was able to be about the home as usual until Tuesday when she became ill, passing away peacefully in her sleep. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband and three daughters, Mrs. Venetia M. Hand of Greenwood, Mrs. Anna Lee Neail of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Carolyn Stubblefield of Gordon. She also leaves six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted from the home on Thursday afternoon by Reverend C. Levi Shelby and the body taken to the old home at Minier, Illinois for interment. made on Saturday, May 4, with short services by a brother-in-law, Rev. Walter Ballenger of Tremont, Ill.

50 Years Ago - 1954
Seven seniors make up the 1954 graduating class of Merriman High School. They are: Paula M. Hippe, Patricia Thayer, Viola M. Stotts, Melvin Leeper, Robert Garner, Donald Harner and James Linenbrink. Valedictorian is Paula Hippe, who will receive the state college scholarship; salutatorian and recipient of the Nebraska Church schools sch9olarship is Robert Garner. Commencement exercises will be held on Wednesday evening, May 16 at the high school auditorium.
More than 200 rural school children of Cherry county met in Merriman on Friday for the annual spelling bee and athletic meet. From the Irwin school, Sharon Downing placed first in third grade spelling. Last year she was the winner in the second grade contest. Sharon is the eight year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Downing Jr. Placing first in the fourth grade division was Duane Goodin. Duane was also grand champion of the third and fourth grade spellers. He is the nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Goodin. He is also a pupil of the Irwin school, which is taught by Mrs. Jack Dohse.
A beautiful bridal shower was given in honor of Betty Malone at the Fritz Mensinger home in Merriman on Monday evening, May 10th. A committee assisted Mrs. Mensinger. Mrs. Bob Ireland was in charge of the entertainment and decorations. Betty received many beautiful gifts. About 50 guests were present. Lunch was served by the hostesses.
Mrs. Glenn Tryon entertained Saturday evening, May 1st, at a surprise pinochle party in honor of her husband’s birthday. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ray Riggleman, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Schwarting, Mr. and Mrs. Niel Nielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hagemeier and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hall.
Marie Rittscher took her students up to Midway where her sister is teaching and the two schools joined ranks for a wiener roast and hike up near Albany.
Joan Drake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emory Drake of Gordon, is one of the ten contestants for national guard sweetheart to be presented at the fourth annual military ball at the Community building in Chadron on May 22nd. The girl chosen will not be announced until she is crowned at the military ball. All contestants will receive a gift of a necklace and the queen will be presented with a lady’s wrist watch.
The wedding of Miss Darlene Mae Shuster and William Hugh Barker took place Sunday evening, May 9th at the First Methodist church. Miss Shuster is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Shuster, and Mr. Barker’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Barker of Keosauqua, Iowa. Mrs. Barker is a graduate of the Gordon high school in the class of 1950 and was also graduated from the Clarkson hospital school of nursing in Omaha. Mr. Barker is in the Air Force, stationed in Omaha.
The Music and Dramatic club met at the Sheridan Hotel Friday, May 7th. Election of officers was held with Mrs. Louise Hardin chosen president; Mrs. Hugh Hershey, vice-president; and Mrs. J.D. Borman, secretary and treasurer.

25 Years Ago - 1979
The newest officer to join the Gordon police force is a "lady cop," Marlene J. Serbousek. Officer Serbousek is a native of rural Hay Springs and her law enforcement background includes service as dispatcher for the Chadron police department and the Sheridan county sheriff’s office in Rushville. She pulls foot patrol duty here as do her male counterparts as well as patrol by car. This brings the Gordon police force to one chief, one investigator and six patrol officers.
Perry Davis , 17, of Gordon was north bound on highway 27 Friday night when he evidently lost control of his motorcycle approximately four tenths of a mile north of Gordon. The cycle went into the right hand ditch and threw Davis about 20 feet. The Gordon volunteer rescue unit took him to the hospital, where he remains with a cracked jaw, cracked wrist and facial lacerations. Patrolman Bucking-ham of the Nebraska state patrol reports that the incident is still under investigation.
Mr. and Mrs. Royal McGaughey announce the engagement of their daughter, Carol McCrory, to Steve Moreland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Moreland of Merriman. Carol will be a 1979 graduate of Scottsbluff School of Nursing, and Steve ranches near Merriman. A June 23 wedding is being planned at the Tom Cobb ranch southeast of Merriman.
Peggy Sue Brown and John V. Urish were married Friday, May 4, 1979, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gail Brown, the bride’s grandparents in Gordon.
Julia K. Christoffersen, Gordon, was among the honor society students who were recognized for outstanding scholarship during the annual Nebraska Wesleyan University honors convocation on May 4th.
Miss Vicki Spangler, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Spangler of Merriman, has been selected to be a state finalist in the 1979 Miss United Teenager pageant to be held in Crete at Doane college on June 23rd. Miss Spangler is a junior at Gordon High School. Her hobbies include riding horses, skiing, swimming and sports.
Mr. and Mrs. Royal McGaughey of Merriman announce the engagement of their daughter, Julie McCrory, to Terry Pitkin of Scottsbluff. Mr. Pitkin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Pitkin of Calloway. He is the journalism teacher in the Scottsbluff high school, and Julie is employed as a registered nurse at West Nebraska General Hospital. A June 9 wedding is being planned.
Kristy Oldenburg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bland Oldenburg of rural Gordon, will receive a bachelor of arts degree at Doane college on May 14th. She is a physical education major with a 3.35 GPA, and a member of the college choir and band, student activities council, the tennis and volleyball teams and Phi Sigma Tau social sorority.

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