Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Oct 10, 2003
extracts by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1903
Chas. M. Rebbeck, of Albany, Neb., secured the nomination for clerk of the district court at the county convention of the people’s independent party of Sheridan county at Rushville on the 19th. Mr. Rebbeck is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rebbeck of this city, and, prior to his removing to Nebraska seventeen years ago, had always lived here. The people of his own county evidently recognize his good qualities of character and citizenship, and many Hillsdale friends hope he may make a successful canvass. [We clip the above from a paper from Hillsdale, Michigan, the former home of Mr. Rebbeck.
Prof. J.C. Ward has been lying several weeks of fever, but is now well along on the road to recovery, and expects to go in a few days to Rushville to recuperate at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Tom Armstrong. The professor will be gone probably about two weeks and on his return will open his school of instruction in instrumental music. He has been kept by sickness from an early realization of his plans, but he wants it known that no little episode like typhoid fever ever puts him off the track of anything he has once fixed his will upon, and therefore the musical public may expect to see his advertisement soon containing full announcement of his work.
Mrs. Roberts has rented the Gordon Hotel and will move into the same next week and open up the business which has been suspended for a few days.
Joshua Parker took a bath the forepart of the week and according to latest accounts has not taken cold. Joshua says he is strictly regular about washing his feet once a year, whether they need it or not.
Cash Parker says that if the sun-of-a-gun who stole his padlock will come around he will give him the key that belongs to it.
A farmer tells us that had he planted extensively of spuds every year for the past fifteen years that he would be wearing diamonds. A word to the wise, etc.
Fifteen cars of potatoes and four of grain are the shipments from Gordon this week.
Mr. Reed has quit the milk business and left his patrons at the mercy of the cruel public to secure milk where they can.
A baby girl arrived Wednesday in the home of George Rose of Merriman.
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Crowder last Friday morning. They are staying at the home of Postmaster Crowder for the present.
The editor has been so busy this week that he has not had time to say his prayers.
A recent letter from Edgar Morrison shows his residence at present to be at Los Angeles, California.
Among those W.G. Traub has furnished lumber the past week have been L.D. Tice, a barn; Chas. Haslow, a house; Wm. Hankins, a granary; J.H. Jacobsen, an addition to his house; and S.T. Wallace, a granary and a barn.
Reports Friday morning indicate that Charley Hoffman is very low and not expected to long survive.
Hazel Reynolds, the younger daughter of H.P. Reynolds, is sick with typhoid fever, but is doing well.
Schmitt & Burwell want potatoes and are especially anxious to get what were stolen from their car last night.
Bertha Young went to Merriman Sunday evening to work in the family of Geo. Rose.
James K. Reid and Fred Hoyt were in Rushville Monday and Tuesday making arrangements for putting a private telephone line between Rushville and Hay Springs for the use of the Maverick Loan and Trust Company.
J.D. Stauffer was appointed Commissioner from the first district last Monday, to fill the vacancy caused by the serious illness of Ezra Walls, who is unable to attend to his duties.
Margaret E. Varvel, of Monticello, Iowa, mother of Mrs. John D. Stauffer, arrived in Gordon last Saturday morning and will probably remain for some time. She is 84 years old.
Cards are out announcing the marriage of Dr. Frank I. Letson, dentist, lately in business here with Dr. Blanchard, and Miss Maud Culver of Albion, Neb., on the 30th of September, at the home of the bride’s parents. They will be at home in Chadron after October 30th.--The Chadron Times.
Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Fred Feldhahn, living about seven miles northwest of Hay Springs, met her death in a dreadful manner. The particulars of the Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Fred Feldhahn, living about seven miles northwest of Hay Springs, met her death in a dreadful manner. The particulars of the sad accident, according to our informant, are as follows: Mr. Feldhahn was mowing and being called away from his work by one of his neighbors, he had his wife hold the team. The horses became frightened, started to run, and threw Mrs. Feldhahn in front of the sickle bar. She received injuries about the head, and death ensued almost instantly. The entire community was shocked by the terribly sudden fatality and much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Feldhahn and his motherless girls.
Bert Wilhite is having his home fixed up for occupants, and it is rumored that some change between other parties will take place before it is occupied.
Miss Ingle being unable on account of poor health to continue as teacher in the schools, has been temporarily relieved by Miss Anna Margrave.
A party of the young friends of Lillian Dixon met at her home on last Friday evening and spent the time with enjoyment.
Frank Coats has moved into the Bert Wilhite property.
D.H. Griswold is this week having a furnace put in his residence.
Miss Josie Gammon left yesterday morning for Hyannis near where she has a nine months’ term of school.
A.R. Modisett was up to Rushville from the ranch the forepart of the week, having brought up six cars of cattle to ship to market.
Julius Vahrankamp found 40 acres of voluntary wheat growing on an unoccupied piece of land which he thought worth cutting. After threshing it he had 400 bushels of wheat that was a splendid quality.
State Superintendent Fowler has prepared statistics showing that during the past thirty years the number of male school teachers in Nebraska has decreased 33 per cent and the number of female teachers increased accordingly. At this rate the country schoolmaster will soon be only a historical memory in this state.
At Cripple Creek, Colorado, a lawyer withdrew from a case where a guard of 30 soldiers was in the room, claiming that it was no longer a constitutional court, but an armed camp.
The yellow fever seems to be on the increase in the city of Laredo, Texas, despite the rigorous efforts that are being take to stamp out the scourge. Two deaths and twelve new cases were reported at the close of Sunday. It is estimated that nearly 4,000 people have fled from Laredo since the beginning of the yellow fever scare. The city is now quarantined against it in all directions in the state, and no person can get beyond the limits of Webb county. Other Texas counties have established a shotgun quarantine and are turning all back who are endeavoring to get away in coaches, buggies and carts. Five new cases of the yellow fever have appeared in Tampico, Mexico, and in Mexico City refugees from Valles, Victoria, Santiago, Linares and Tampico, fleeing through fear of the disease are making the capitol an oasis for a throng of visitors.
75 Years Ago - 1928
On last Friday evening, a Hoover-Curtiss club was organized at the Pleasant school house, the following officers being chosen: Chas. Sorgenson, President; Jeanette Adams, Vice President; Hugh Armstrong, Secretary. They plan on having other meetings before election.
At Rushville a club has been organized with Chas. W. Brown, President; Mrs. Chas. Brooks, Vice President; and R.L. Embree, Secretary-Treasurer. County Treasurer Marcy, a democrat, has joined and is a member of the membership committee.
W. F. Wyckoff unloaded a carload of Plymouth-Chrysler autos the past week, selling three of them before they were unloaded.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Romine, of the Merriman area, on Monday, Sept. 24th, a son. Mother and babe are at Gordon.
Ted Smith, five years old October 3rd, entertained the boys of his kindergarten class, number one division, at his home on Second Street, Wednesday afternoon. Fifteen boys enjoyed games and lastly the beautiful cake with its five candles and sherbet served by Mrs. Smith. Each child received a candy favor.
Mrs. Rose Taylor returned Wednesday evening from Chicago, where she attended the E. Burnham School for Beauty Culture. She took a brush-up course in beauty work, and a special course in facials.
Walter Lefler, who has spent the summer in Gordon, is going to Omaha this week to visit his mother for a couple of weeks, after which he will return to Hot Springs for the winter.
Mrs. Peter Johnson and daughter Minnie motored to Rushville Wednesday to see Mr. Johnson, who is confined to his bed in a hospital after a serious operation. He is getting along nicely.
Mr. Fritz Nelson has taken the position of head baker at the Crystal Bakery in Rushville. He left Wednesday to take up the work.
Carl Davis, a former Gordon High School football captain, is playing football this year at the Chadron Normal. Mr. Leslie Downing, Sr., is suffering from a severe abscess, but is gradually improving.
Mrs. Clifford Middaugh had her tonsils removed Monday by a local physician.
Paul Leach is now employed at the Dempster-O’Connell Hardware Store.
Mr. Rollin Hanchette has a new garage completed at his home in the west part of town.
Mr. Mike Tausan presented his wife with a new power washing machine Monday.
Miss Inez Ecoffey went home from Gordon where she has been attending school. She does not expect to return.
A meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association in district 32 was held last Friday evening when the following officers were chosen: Mrs. Henry Burck, President; Miss Amy Lowe, Vice-President; Mrs. Wm. Coon, Secretary; Mrs. I.L. Cornwell, Treasurer.
A small son of Mr. Frank Cerny fell while playing this week, and received a severe gash on his head.
Mrs. Carl Preuss had her arm broken Tuesday while cranking her car near Smith’s Store north of Gordon.
Mr. and Mrs. Myron Holsinger returned Tuesday from their wedding trip to Estes Park, Denver and through Yellowstone Park.
Viola Phillips had her collar-bone broken when she fell from a slide at the West Ward school building.
Dr. J.Q. Elmore received a card this week from Mayor Duerfeldt, now visiting at the home of his son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. George Duerfeldt, of California. He said he and his family were enjoying the climate immensely. They made the drive to Riverside in four days.
Obituaries
Pearl Irene Jelinek. Pearl Irene, the 18 month old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Jelinek, was drowned in a water tank at the family home near Albany on last Saturday afternoon. The little one, with other children, was playing around the tank, and although the older children ran to the house to get help, the baby was dead when rescued. This is the second fatality in this neighborhood by drowning, both children being about the same age. Pearl Irene was born March 19, 1927, and died September 27, 1928, aged one year, seven months and 8 days. She leaves to mourn her untimely passing, her parents, one brother and one sister. The bereaved family have the sympathy of their neighbors and friends over the loss of their little one. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church by Rev. C.L. Shelby and interment was made in the Gordon cemetery.
Mrs. Anna Gehrig. Anna (Biger) Gehrig was born in Switzerland September 24, 1840 and departed this life in Gordon September 28, 1928, aged 88 years and 4 days. At the age of 23 years, she was united in marriage to Fred Gehrig and to this union were born five children: Godfred, Adolph, Mrs. Eliza Schrader, Lazetta, and one little girl who departed this life in infancy. Her husband preceded her in death in the year 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Gehrig came from Switzerland to the United States in 1885, settling in the vicinity of Yutan, Nebr., where they remained for four years, after which they moved near Gordon where they lived until about 23 years ago. Then they moved to Gordon where they lived until death. Sister Gehrig was converted to Christ-ianity about 21 years ago and ever afterward lived a very devoted Christian life. Besides her four children, she leaves seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and many friends to mourn her departure. The funeral was held from the Lutheran church last Sunday afternoon, Rev. H.M. Roth being in charge, and interment made in the Gordon cemetery.
50 Years Ago - 1953
A tragedy which occurred at the Shadbolt ranch south of Merriman Thursday afternoon has placed Russell Girton in the Veteran’s Hospital in Hot Springs, S.D. Reports are that Mr. Girton, who has been employed at the ranch for about four years, was baling hay on the Dahlgren ranch, which is now part of the Shadbolt place. Leaning over to untangle the binder twine which had become caught in the string carrier, Mr. Girton’s glove became caught in the chain of the baler. Realizing his helplessness, he jammed the heel of his left boot into the chain in a vain attempt to clog or stop the baler. Unable to accomplish this, Mr. Girton, left-handed man, deliberately broke his arm between the wrist and elbow, thereby freeing himself. In the meantime, the friction of the chain against his boot had caused a fire and it was the smoke from this that brought help although Mrs. Girton, who was passing the field on her way to get the children from school, had already found her husband. Bleeding profusely from his severed arm, Mr. Girton, knowing he would bleed to death, had, with almost unbelievable presence of mind, seared the exposed veins in the fire. He was found several feet from the baler and had managed to get the fire extinguisher off the baler although he was unable to open it with his one hand. He was conscious all of the time and remained so. A plane was immediately summoned from Gordon and he was rushed to the hospital here. Monday he was removed to the Hot Springs hospital for special treatment. The Girtons have five daughters, the oldest about eight, who are with Mrs. Girton’s mother in Pine Ridge, while Mrs. Girton is with her husband. The wonderful courage of this man is evidenced by his parting words to George Shadbolt, “I’ll be back at the ranch in a month, George.”
The disappearance of the Rushville teenager remains a mystery. Karen Talbot, 13-year-old girl who disappeared en route to her home from a movie on Aug. 20, is still missing. Parents of the girl, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Talbot, have offered a $5,000 reward for the safe return of Karen, but have received neither clues, ransom notes nor other communications.
Howard Parker, a Gordon High School grad of 1953, played the part of Windy is “Summer Comes to the Diamond O”, a one-act play presented during the festival last spring. He was given a $10 cash prize, according to word received by Miss Mabel Bridges, dramatic club sponsor. Howard, a guitarist and vocalist, will participate in the Horace Heidt talent audition to be held in Chadron Thursday evening.
The Gordon Broncs, in their first home game of the season, galloped over the favored Hemingford Bobcats 30-14. During the halftime show, featuring the GHS marching band and the American Legion firing squad, a salute was given to Sgt. Edward L. Bohlmann, recently returned POW, and the fathers of the football team were honored guests. Sgt. Bohlmann was escorted to the field by the firing squad, and was presented to the audience by R.F. Nelson. Mr. Nelson spoke briefly of the grim experience Sgt. Bohlmann had endured. He expressed a community’s sincere admiration that the home town boy had had the stamina and the faith to come through the ordeal unscathed -- that neither the “brain-washing” nor the physical discomfort cunningly contrived by the communists, had made the desire impression. Jerome Kruger, district Legion commander, welcomed home the POW in behalf of the military.
25 Years Ago - 1978
Three persons escaped serious injury when a light plane, piloted by Kenneth Rhoades of Blair, crashed Saturday afternoon. The plane had just taken off from Gordon airport when the pilot reported a loss of power. The pilot crash landed the plane in a winter wheat field just east of the sewage lagoon and south of the airport. All three occupants of the plane were taken to Gordon Memorial hospital where they were treated and released.
Winners in the Homestead golf classic on Saturday were Dick and Karen Prusia and Helen and Steve Adamowicz.
Mr. and Mrs. Butch Buchan, of Gordon, are the parents of a daughter, born Sept. 26, 1978.
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Keller, of Gordon, are the parents of a son, born Sept. 26, 1978.
Members of the Niobrara 4H club gathered on Sept. 24th to elect officers. They are: Linda Skanadore, president; Vicki Spangler, vice-president; Debbie Cady, Treasurer; Carol Iske, secretary; Julie Downing, reporter; Connie Hugen, scrapbook, and Curt Spangler, Teresa Lissolo, and Sandy Timm, entertainment committee. Leaders are Terry Spangler and Pat Lissolo, and assistant leaders are Dale Downing and Billie Lefler.
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submitted by Helen Selee
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