Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications

Echoes of the Past
Oct 8, 2003
by Helen Selee

100 Years Ago - 1903

From what we hear there is reason to believe that the county campaign is on. The Journal wants every candidate to have a fair chance. It is probable that we will publish everything, good, bad and indifferent that the other papers say of the candidates, and at the same time give each a chance to defend himself or set himself right in our columns. We are not much on the beg in any way, but sometimes we will fight like thunder for what we think is best.

On last Saturday night the school board elected Miss Jennie Van Buskirk to take the place of Miss Jennie Ingle who, on account of poor health, unable to longer continue her work as teacher in the school. Miss Ingle was giving splendid satisfaction and we regret that she was unable to continue, but Miss VanBuskirk has shown herself a capable teacher in this vicinity and we have no doubt that she will do her work with credit to herself and satisfaction to the board and the patrons of the school.

This week Freeman Mills made a deal by which he sold Let Beckwith an interest in the Star ranch and took in Let’s property here in Gordon. It will be remembered that some time ago he sold an interest in the east half of the ranch to Grant Gaston. Messrs. Gaston and Beckwith will have charge of the ranch and Mr. Mills is not decided as to what he will do.

A new baby boy arrived in the home of candidate Lee Fritz on last Saturday night. Mr. Fritz was in Iowa at the time visiting, but was no doubt agreeably surprised to learn that a new voter has arrived. [*Late note: We are sorry to chronicle the death on Wednesday of the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Fritz that was born last Saturday night.]

Allen Strong commenced this week as an assistant in the Sheridan County Bank.

Mrs. E. Davies has purchased the milk business of M. Reed and will be glad to have your patronage for milk and cream.

Frank Sasenbery left Monday for Chicago where he will study electrical engineering. We wish him success in the new work. This moral adviser will reach him each week and we will be careful to warn him against the evil and suggest that which is good.

George Campbell this week purchased the Howell building just south of the central office and will fix it up and reside there for a time.

Ed Zimmeril has moved into John Beely’s property near the Christian Church, and which was lately vacated by “Tom” Childers. Ed came to town Monday and is butcher for Cash Parker. He is a good honest man and is not new to the people of Gordon in this line of business.

Walter Joice received a telegram Thursday calling him to Ellsworth to take charge of the station there. Walter is doing well with his work and we are glad he is receiving recognition from the company.

Dr. Beers, the Eye Specialist, comes well recommended and, as he will allow you to deposit the money in the bank until he has cured you, he must be a reliable man. Call and see him at the Commercial House on Tuesday, Oct. 13, consultation free to all.

Robert Clapp quit his job in the restaurant last week, and was superceded by Filbert Lambert.

Robert Dixon has advertised to sell at public auction on Saturday, the 17^th, 12 head of mixed horses of various ages.

Frank Coates has plowed and is grading the lot just north of the residence of D.H. Griswold, and will commence soon the erection of a building for a home. And what is home without a mother?

Mrs. E.J. Ballengee and Mrs. C.C. Booth, from Don City, Iowa, the former being the mother and the latter a sister of the editor’s wife, arrived in Gordon Tuesday morning on a visit. We suppose a fellow has to be good when his mother-in-law is around.

H. D. Huntington has severed his connection with the Sheridan County Bank, having been assistant cashier for nearly four years, and having been in some way connected with business in Gordon for the past fifteen years. He says he is sorry to leave Gordon, but he has hearkened to the call to Ellsworth in a few days where he will be in the employ of the Spade Supply Store. It has taken a considerable advance of salary and other inducements to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Hunting-ton to leave their present pleasant surroundings. Horace started in business on the ground floor and has since held a position in every department, including bookkeeping and banking, and his employers could hardly have secured a person of a more all-around experience. He has by honesty and integrity won the confidence and respect of the people of this place and vicinity, and we are sorry he has concluded to leave us, but may his trail lead him on to further happiness and prosperity.

Dr. Letson, the dentist, and wife arrived in Gordon Wednesday and have rented Mrs. Hoffman’s residence while she will moved into the rear of the drug store. Newpaperily speaking, we extend the doctor and his wife the right hand of fellowship and wish them happiness and success in our midst.

Rupert Bard has purchased the residence of H.D. Huntington, and again we are reminded, what is home without a mother?

Little Opal McNemar had the misfortune to get her wrist hurt last Sunday and has suffered considerably from it since.

Mrs. E.J. Ballengee left Thursday morning to visit her son, J. H. Ballengee of Ft. Robinson, and will go from there to Lusk, Wyoming, to visit her son Scott who is the R.R. Agent.

M.H. Jones has commenced business and cordially invites the public to call in and inspect his stock of confectionery, nuts, cigars, etc. Fresh roasted peanuts are kept on hand.

J.C. Jordan went to Omaha Monday to buy a stock of wagons and other vehicles.

W.A. Burr is not very well of late.

Miss Hulett, of Springview, is working in the Griswold family.

Died: On October 2, 1903, of a complication of liver and stomach troubles, Charles E. Hoffman. The deceased was born in Switzerland in May 1858 and came to the United States with his parents in 1871, first landing in New York. Soon after they moved to Elgin, Illinois, thence to Madison this state, and he came to Gordon in 1885 and started a drug store which business he has been conducting in Gordon most of the time since. On February 7, 1886, he was married to Miss Lizzie Rains to which union was born two sons, Earl and Fred. His wife, two sons, mother and a brother survive him. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was buried with the honors of that order. The funeral services took place in the Presbyterian church on Sunday, October 4^th, in the presence of a large concourse of people and were conducted by Rev. J.A. Scamahorn. The services were concluded at the grave, by the imposing ceremonies of the Masonic lodge, where the grave had been beautifully decorated by the members of that order.

Mrs. Hoffman will continue the drug business and the other lines in connection with it, and respectfully solicits your patronage.

Julius Hoffman and his mother, aged 80 years, the brother and mother of C.E. Hoffman, were in Gordon last week. They reside in Madison, Nebraska.

C.F. McDowell is just getting around from injuries received to his foot and leg by having a horse fall on him nearly three weeks ago.

The four year old daughter of J.C. Rounds of Valentine, was drowned several days ago by falling into a water tank. The parents have friends in some of our readers who will sympathize with them in their bereavement.

The Gordon Hotel has lately been refitted and cleaned up in good shape for occupancy by Mrs. Roberts.

E.H. Perry has purchased the dray business of George Borders and took possession Wednesday morning. “Lishe” is a good worker and we wish him success in his new undertaking.

75 Years Ago - 1928

The Nebraska Electric Power Company commenced operation of their new Diesel engine Wednesday, an engine which gives Gordon one of the most modern generating plants in the state. The new unit is of 560 H.P. and is capable of carrying the entire load between Gordon and Crawford except at the peak periods. It will be used as an auxiliary unit, however, to be thrown in when the peak load is on or when needed because of trouble elsewhere. In order to acquaint Gordon people with the new equipment, the power company invited the city officials and the members of the Kiwanis Club to be their guests at a dinner served at the plant on Wednesday evening. About forty people were present, and after a fine dinner, Councilman Hull, in the absence of Mayor Duerfeldt, threw the switch which put the Gordon plant in operation.

An infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Goranson was born to them two weeks ago and lived but a few moments. The funeral services were held from the home of Mrs. Fanny Monroe on Friday with Rev. H.M. Roth in charge and burial was made in the Gordon cemetery. The sympathy of their many friends goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Goranson in their sad hour.

Mr. Joe Haller and Mrs. Roy Ross left Tuesday for Grand Island, Nebr. to visit their mother, Mrs. Minnie Haller, and meet a brother, Mr. Frank Haller, from Baltimore, whom they had not seen for thirteen years.

Mr. Logan Talbot and Miss Leona Lahaye were married in Hot Springs, S.D. on Tuesday, September 25, the marriage taking place at half past seven o’clock at the home of Reverend Lord. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Paul King. Mr. Talbot is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Talbot of Rushville and the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Lahaye. She is a graduate of the Rushville high school in the class of 1928. Both are popular members of the younger set of their community.

Miss Viola Rash and Leo J. Sharp, both of Chadron, last week announced their wedding, which occurred at Hot Springs, S.D., on July 12, 1928. Mrs. Sharp is a daughter of Mrs. Clara Rash of Gordon. She is well and favorably known both here and in Chadron, having been employed in Chadron for a number of years. She was in the office of the Dawes County agent for over a year before taking up her duties on the clerical force at the First National Bank. Mr. Sharp is the son of Mrs. Mary Sharp, of Chadron, and has been employed in the Nichols Grocery Store for several years.

Mr. A.M. Perry, formerly at Auburn, Nebraska, has been transferred to Gordon as the local manager of the Nebraska Electric Power Company.

The children that were fortunate enough to get rides in the Bowen airplane Saturday were: Ada Bell, Mary Ella and Minnie Capsick, Willard and Glenn Lahaye, and Leslie Cue.

The Misses Pearl and Vida Leeper spent the week end at the Spangler ranch.

The small son of Mr. Johnson had two of his front teeth broken out when a pipe on the pump fell and hit him in the face.

J.C. Hickard, from Batesland, moved into the Query house last week so we have four new scholars.

George Shadbolt is navigating on crutches, the result of spraining a tendon on the knee, on the football grounds.

Mrs. H. Jelinek and Mrs. Parks, from Albany, took dinner with Mrs. Steinhaus Friday. She certainly can get up a real meal, and I don’t mean maybe.

Mr. and Mrs. Steinhaus made a trip to Gordon for some more lumber, as he is building a fine, new large granary.

The Pleasant Valley School is getting some new playground equipment. Melvin and Arthur Johnson erected a 24-foot slide. The swing, teeter-totter, and trapeze have not arrived yet. The schoolhouse itself is being redecorated with new paint, varnish, and oiled floors. Lois Jeanne Beutler and Kenneth Rust are new beginners this year. Our total enrollment this year is 21. Viola Phillips fell off the slide on Sept. 28^th and broke her collarbone. She only missed a day and a half of school and is getting along nicely.

Miss Hester Scott has been employed as clerk in the Crystal Bakery.

Mr. and Mrs. Myron Holsinger have taken furnished rooms in the home of Mrs. Betty Waddill.

Miss Mildred Shook, of Manderson, S.D., is employed as a clerk in the dry goods department of the Folsom Store.

Mr. and Mrs. Archie Parker entertained a few guests at their home on Sunday in honor of the birthday of Mr. W. D. Nichols. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Maddox, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burck and Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Elwood and families.

Mr. and Mrs. George Malone of Porcupine are the parents of a son born October 7. Mrs. Malone is at the home of Mrs. Fanny Moore.

Phillip Michael had the misfortune of breaking his arm while cranking a tractor.

Carl Magnuson of Batesland and his crew are remodeling the H.E. Nash place. Mr. Henrick recently purchased the place. They expect to move into town as soon as the house is completed. Carl has completed the foundation for the new home he plans to build. It will be a modern five-room structure.

50 Years Ago - 1953

The South Sheridan community turned out in force Thursday night to form a fire department. Ransom Hamilton was named president of the new department; Larry Bixby, vice-president; Lawrence Graham, secretary-treasurer; and Boris Kicken, fire chief. The immediate need for a local fire department in the area was spurred on by the large fire a couple of weeks ago in that area that burned a path 14 miles wide and 5 miles long.

Births: * Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich Smith, a daughter, Barbara Jean, Sept. 23, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Anderson, a daughter, Julie Kay, Sept. 23, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McNickle, a son, Robert Earl, Sept. 27, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Otte, a daughter, Sept. 28, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Derrell Suhr, a daughter, Margaret Ann, Sept. 30, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Vern Hupp, a son, Ronald Gene, Oct. 1, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Myron Gardner, a son, Thomas Ray, Oct. 6, 1953.

*Mr. and Mrs. Leland E. Lindberg of 1424 Nemaha St., Lincoln, are the parents of a son, Kirk Allen, born Saturday, Oct. 3. Mrs. Lindberg is the former Mary Lou Comer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Comer of Gordon.

Miss Delores Dyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Dyer of Gordon, became the bride of Sgt. Herbie Ruleau in a ceremony performed at the Methodist church in Rushville, Sept. 28, 1953. Sgt. Ruleau is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ruleau of Gordon. He enlisted in the marines in July of 1951 and served 12 months in Korea, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He is at present stationed with the marines at Port Chicago, Calif. Following the ceremony, the couple left for Conard, Calif. where they will make their home.

25 Years Ago - 1978

Major changes in the business community were revealed last week when it was announced that Ray Sholl, manager of the New Ideal market, at the south end of Mains Street had purchased from Dick Matula, the Matula’s Food Center at the north end of Main street. Sholl came to Gordon in 1964 to be employed by Paul Shuster in the Ideal Market, later becoming manager. He continued in that position when Cohn Wholesale of Sioux City, Ia., bought the Shuster holdings. Sholl said he will retain the same employees and will return to Jack and Jill purchasing. Dick Matula bought the Jack and Jill market from Mike Shald on June 23, 1973. Matula has retained ownership of the land and buildings and has given Sholl a 15-year lease on the business.

Homecoming king and queen candidates have been announced for 1978. They are: John Sasse, Scott Mills, Bob Borders, Jeff Ford, Troy Roth, Jeanette Bruce, Sherri Burke, Sharon Tystad, Joy McCrory and Candi Otte.

Mrs. Terry Johnson hosted 18 members of the Pleasant Hill club on Sept. 19^th. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Don Peterka, president; Mrs. Gary Goodrich, vice-president; Mrs. Maurice Dragoo, secretary, and Mrs. Terry Johnson, treasurer.

The September meeting of the Lone Butte extension club was held on Sept. 19^th, with 10 members present. Officers elected for 1979 were: Mrs. Richard Roth, president; Mrs. Richard Paul, vice-president; Mrs. Richard Dillon, secretary-treasurer, and Mrs. Esther Flueckinger was appointed cultural arts chairman. Mrs. Dale Gardner presented the lesson, “On Your Own.”

St. Mark’s Episcopal church in Gordon was the setting for the wedding of Miss Joni Groth of Rushville and Kevin Sasse of Batesland, S.D. They are at home in Batesland. Kevin ranches and Joni works in Pine Ridge at the welfare office.

Lisa Zoeller, winner of the 12 year old division of the PP&K competition, made a pass of 81 feet, the longest in her age group.

The 40^th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Haller was observed on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 10, with an open house at the Haller home, hosted by their sons and daughter and their spouses: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Haller, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Haller, and Mr. and Mrs. Doug (Laura) Gaspers. One hundred and fifty guests signed the guest book. Lila Alexander and Bernard Haller were married Sept. 11, 1938 in the Gordon Presbyterian church with the Rev. Ellis M. Steen officiating.

Mrs. Gordon Benson, Mrs. Hazel Hull, Mildred Fuchser and Mrs. Ruth Olson of Hay Springs spent last Thursday in Valentine at the home of Mrs. Ruby Dam to celebrate her 89^th birthday. The group were all sisters, except for Mrs. Gordon Benson, who is a sister-in-law.

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Eisenreich are the parents of a son, born Sept. 30, 1978.

Mr. and Mrs. Dane Claussen, Tuthill, S.D., are the parents of a son, born October 1, 1978.

Obituaries:

Susie Irma Adamson was born Jan. 30, 1891 near Creighton, Nebr., and died Sept. 28, 1978, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs. She was the youngest daughter of Turner and Adelaide Gardner. She was married to Frank Arthur Adamson on Feb. 9, 1910 and the couple lived on a farm near Creighton until 1926 when they moved to a farm north of Gordon. They moved into Gordon in 1954. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and six sisters. She leaves her daughter Alta and son-in-law Francis Elwood, seven grandchildren, two great grand-children, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Sept. 29^th and interment was in Gordon cemetery.

Agnes “Patsy” Robinson was born Mar. 17, 1891, daughter of William and Olive Lessert McWilliams at White Clay. She married Royal S. Robinson in 1914. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister Mrs. Belle Lessert, and a brother, Ben McWilliams. Survivors include: her three daughters, Irene (Mrs. Blaine) Perreten of Chadron; Irma (Mrs. W.W.) Miller of Parkville, MO; and Joan (Mrs. Ross) Howe, of Springfield, S.D.; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were Friday, Sept. 27^th, and burial was in Martin, S.D.

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submitted by Helen Selee
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