Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Oct 28, 2003
by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1903
One person is every 575 in the United States is a physician. Sir John Cockburn, an eminent English authority on matters medical and surgical, says that women are less nervous than men in surgical cases, and are altogether better fitted than men to become doctors.
Mr. C.G. Traub, formerly of Gordon but for the last eight years a resident of Franklin, Alaska, arrived last Saturday morning with his wife from St. Louis, Mo., where they were quietly married on the 23rd day of the present month at the house of Mrs. Traub’s mother, Mrs. Mary Harrison Rea. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. Edmunds Duckworth of St. James Memorial Church, in the presence of a few relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Traub are spending some weeks as the guests of their brother, W.G. Traub. After spending the winter at the various places of interest in the South and West, they expect to return to Alaska for the summer season. Mrs. Traub is an accomplished lady of musical and literary ability, having written several books that are now before the readers.
The three month’s old babe of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dorr, died at their home in the vicinity of Harlan on Thursday of this week. [Oct. 29.]
Harvey Turner, of this place, while driving up from Irwin Sunday evening had the misfortune to get his shoulder dislocated. One of the horses stumbled and fell against the tongue of the buggy, breaking it, scaring the horses, and a runaway followed with results as state above. Mr. Turner’s little boy was with him, but luckily escaped unhurt. The accident occurred about six miles east of town, which distance Mr. Turner walked, suffering with the injured arm. On his arrival in town, Dr. Jones was called out and helped to make Mr. Turner as comfortable as possible until Dr. Turner, his brother, who was in Irwin on business relative to shipping some cattle, could arrive after being telephoned for, when the dislocation was reduced. The patient is doing well, although he is compelled to favor a very sore shoulder and will not be able to work for several days.
Misses Stella and Hattie Parker spent Saturday and Sunday at the home of their parents on Pole Creek. They took a stroll out into the pasture and ran across a covey of 13 rattle snakes and got the whole bunch. The number was rather an unlucky one, and there was not anything in the atmosphere showing it was a good day for crawlers.
The shipment for this week amounted to 9 cars of grain, 29 cars of potatoes and 18 cars of cattle.
Max Barth informed us on Monday that his wheat went 30 bushels to the acre and he has 1,030 bushels of fine quality.
Last Saturday, Fred Talbot brought us three monster potatoes weighing about 1 ½ pounds each. They are remarkably fine and the largest we have seen this season.
On Tuesday evening there was a dance at Albany and was a scene of a disturbance. Particulars seem hard to get but as near as we can learn that among others, Paul Merit and another young man, both in the employ of Alex Hoover, went to the dance, and it seems that some controversy rose between Merit and Guy Clark, which finally resulted in Merit firing a shot into the crowd where Mr. Clark was standing, the bullet passing through the coat of Dave Bartelson near the shoulder and into the building very close to some ladies. As we have been told it, at this time of the affair, Wm. Clark grabbed the six-shooter from Merit and proceeded to knock the stuffin’ out of him. Constable Tom Trueax, assisted by Charlie St. John, took Merit to Rushville where he was placed in jail. It is claimed that he was drunk, and it seems probable, as it usually takes some booze to bring about such actions. If anything new and important develops in the case, it will be given next week.
We are in receipt of copies of affidavits published in the Lynch Sun in regards to Judge Westover being drunk in Butte. We will not give the affidavits in full, but in all cases they claim the accusations are totally false, and in most cases they say that the false statements were made for political reasons. The affidavits all come from Butte and Boyd county. The story was started by Allen G. Fisher, who seeks the nomination for judge in opposition to Judge Westover. It is admitted by the Judge that he did drink some beer while in Butte on account of the poor quality of the water there. However, Mr. Fisher and his friend, Mr. Will T. Willis, both political enemies of Judge Westover, seem to be the only ones in two counties that would even suggest the Judge was drunk. Most consider it a filthy way of campaigning, and it can only serve to harm Fisher and Willis’ chances on voting day. The Judge is not a drunkard, and we are glad to defend him against the accusation.
75 Years Ago - 1928
Rev. J.W. Embree of Gordon and his son, Rev. Rev. Robert Embree of Rushville and Mr. J.C. Snyder of Gordon were injured in an automobile accident returning from Lincoln, where they went with Mr. Ray. Lyon of Clinton in his car to attend the Methodist Men’s Council which was held there last week. Mr. Lyon did not return with them and the younger Mr. Embree was driving about a mile out of Springview, when a rear tire blew out, turning the car over several times and throwing Rev. J.W. Embree out through the top of the car. While suffering no serious injury, he is suffering from soreness around one lung. Mr. Snyder is suffering from shock and still unable to walk. The son escaped with only a slight cut on the forehead. Rev. Embree and son were cared for at the home of Rev. Fink in Springview. Mr. Snyder was cared for at a neighbor’s house. They arrived home on Wednesday on the train. The car was completely demolished.
Mr. Edgar Firethunder, sixty-eight years of age, rode fifty miles coming in from Allen, S.D. on horseback on Monday. He left his home at nine o’clock in the morning, stopped over in Batesland to rest his horse, and rode into Gordon at five o’clock. He was at the Journal office Tuesday morning to pay his subscription.
Little Dorothy Gwynn is making her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Kime, while her mother, Mrs. Chas. Gwynn, is in town sick with rheumatism. Mr. Frank Gwynn and daughter Mary, called on his sons, Chas., Jim and Fay on Saturday and Sunday. The boys are all batching it.
Quite a number of the South Hills folks went to the J.H. Vinson ranch to watch them ditch with dynamite. Mr. Julius Jensen is doing some ditching also.
Lots of “music” in the South Hills right now. Everyone is weaning calves.
Mrs. Glenn Conklin entertained at a six o’clock dinner on Monday evening in honor of the birthday of Miss Catherine Dorsey. The birthday cake held a ring and thimble, besides sixteen candles. The thimble fell to the lot of Miss Rue Jane Brooks and the ring to Mr. Glen Conklin, Jr.
Andrew Peterson, of the south Merriman area, had a birthday party Saturday, Oct. 20th, to which a number of children from his community were invited.
SCHOOL NEWS
Mr. Edward Whiting will arrive the latter part of this week to take charge of the schools. He has been superintendent of the schools at Doniphan, Nebr., for the past two years.
Grade 1: Wilbur Panzer has moved to North Platte. Edward Jackson has moved to Alliance. We had a number test on Monday. Those having the highest score were: Robert Coates, Bill Sears, Murray Wilbur, Joe Barto, Arthur Folsom, Melvina Shepard, Helen Kiehl, Kenneth Dalton, Audra Perreten, Eugene Bower and Alice Marie Bruns.
Second grade: We have a new boy in our class. His name is Vern Mundy. Glen Webster is going to start to school this week.
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
New class officers for the coming year have been elected as follows: Freshmen: president, Esther Clark; vice-president, Mary Shelby; secretary-treasurer, Eldean Johnson; sponsor, Mr. Carroll. Sophomores: president, Joe Saults; vice-president, Vincent Skinner; secretary, Lorn Olsson; treasurer, Wayne Louks; sponsor, Miss Hart. Juniors: president, Helen Potts; vice-president, Robert Hummel; secretary, Fay Stouffer; treasurer, Ralph Hatch; sponsor, Miss McDorman.. Seniors: president, George Shadbolt; vice-president, Irene Lowe; secretary, James Thomas; treasurer, Gordon Hull; sponsor, Mrs. Denker.
The students will design the class ring. Last week the class president met with the acting superintendent, Mr. J.W. Mercer, and chose a committee to select a design for the high school standard class ring. Members on the committee are: Neal Shelly, Charles Maddox, Eldean Johnson, Mary Shelby and Esther Clark from the ninth grade. From the tenth grade are: Ruth Furman, Gwendolyn Purdy, Dorothy Grove and Joe Saults. From the eleventh grade are: Willard Hetzel, Velma Havener, Helen Carpenter, Marion Leedom and Helen Potts. From the twelfth grade are: Hazel Bell, Doris Versaw, Gordon Hull and George Shadbolt.
The following students have enrolled in Gordon High School: Lennis Secrest, senior; Gail Berkheimer, junior; and Glen Webster, freshman.
50 Years Ago - 1953
This country got a dandy good rain Wednesday and Thursday evening, around one and a half inches. There was plenty of frost on everything Thursday morning and another hard freeze on Sunday night. Carl Lockman started to move his cattle from his mother’s place to his place east of Pine Ridge on Thursday. He was so overcome by the wind and cold by the time he got to Ed Barth’s that he left his cattle there overnight and his nephew, Lloyd Taylor, took him home. On Friday Oscar Uldrikson drove the cattle on out for him.
Miss Ruth Garwood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Garwood of Whitman, and Fred Thayer, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Thayer of Merriman, were married at the Valentine courthouse by Judge C.H. Elliott at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 1953. They were attended by Jason Garwood, brother of the bride, and Miss Clarabelle Smith of Whitman. Following the wedding, they returned to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Thayer, where a reception was held for a few relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer expect to make their home near Whitman on a ranch where the groom has employment. Oct. 24th was also the groom’s birthday.
Andrea Olson, 1 ½ year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Olson of Merriman, caught her arm in the washing machine wringer last week and has been receiving treatment at the Gordon hospital the past week. She will be taken to Omaha next week where skin grafting will be done on the arm.
Sergeant Robert Walton arrived in Seattle, Washington, Monday morning aboard the Gen. M.M. Patrick. Sgt. Walton has been with the 187th airborne division in the Far East. He is the son of Mrs. Bill Russell of Gordon.
Larry Holst left on Monday to report for duty at the naval air station in Quonset Point, R.I. He has been spending a 10-day leave from the navy at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Serene Holst.
Navy Lt. James T. Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl S. Williams of Gordon and husband of the former Miss Dorothy E. Rawls of Belle Glade, Fla., is a qualified helicopter pilot after having completed helicopter flight training. Lt. Williams has reported to the commander of Air Force, Atlantic fleet, Norfolk, Va. for further assignment.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Gealy and family have moved from Valentine to the Losey farm east of Gordon, recently vacated by the Dean Coon family. The Gealy’s daughter, Gloria, has entered the Gordon high school where she is a sophomore. Mr. and Mrs. Coon are now living in the Cash Myers house on Cornell street, and the Myers have moved into their home on Oak street, where Dr. and Mrs. Wanek formerly lived. The Waneks have moved into their recently completed home on Third and Maverick. How’s that for a fruit basket upset?
Henry Little, a well-known resident of Pine Ridge, died Thursday in the Rosebud hospital as a result of a car accident west of St. Francis, S.D. It is thought that Mr. Little lost control of the car which went off an embankment.
Arthur Metzger, Gordon high school graduate, appears in the tenor section of the Hastings College touring choir roster as announced by Gordon Ohllson, director. Members for the group were selected through competitive auditions.
The hand that lifts the cup that cheers, should not be used to shift the gears !!!!!!
Mr. and Mrs. John Egli and Mrs. Charles Gwynn flew to Ainsley Friday where they attended funeral services for Mrs. Egli’s and Mrs. Gwynn’s grandfather, John Kime. Mr. Kime, an old time resident of the south hills, was 98 years old at the time of his death. Also attending the services from Gordon were Mr. and Mrs. Archie Kime and Harold Kime.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Armstrong and Donna took Wanda Peters, Connie Vollintine and Bonnie Musfelt to Lincoln on Friday where they attended Band Day. Friday night the Armstrongs and girls stayed at the Ferris home. Saturday night they were guests of Mrs. Lola Snyder. They returned home Sunday.
The Pleasant Hill school held it October birthday party Wednesday afternoon honoring Sandra Leach. Mrs. Leach served a most delicious lunch after which games were played.
Gary Sandage brought a large sugar beet to school Thursday. Pupils enjoyed looking at it and studying it. This is the first sugar beet many had ever seen.
Sandra Leach brought a boll of cotton to school that her brother had brought home from Louisiana, which the children enjoyed seeing.
25 Years Ago - 1978
Guest speaker at the Tuesday chamber of commerce meeting was Bob Devany, U of N athletic director. Mr. Devany entertained the gathering with humor and facts regarding Nebraska athletics in general and Big Red football in particular.
Joe Vodicka of Rushville and Debbie Burleigh of Gordon were revealed Saturday evening as 1979 4-H King and Queen of Sheridan county. Attendants to their majesties were Rick Burleigh, Leonard Haller, Mike Mulcahy, Dwight Rasmussen, Angela Munger, Tena Powles, Susan Woodhouse and Brenda Rucker. Crown bearers were Patricia Nelson, daughter of Mary Nelson of Hay Springs, and Jimmy Purviance, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Purviance, also of Hay Springs. The scope of the affair may be judged from the program note that showed 237 members working in 17 clubs, 884 projects carried, and 66 leaders and assistants.
Pfc. Drexel Smith has returned to his base at Ft. Polk, La., after spending a 15-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Drexel Smith of rural Gordon. He had just returned from Germany where he had been on a 45-day maneuver assignment.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Kearns hosted a birthday dinner Sunday for their daughter Lori’s tenth birthday.
Births at Gordon Memorial Hospital: *Mr. and Mrs. George Cambane, a daughter, Oct. 17. *Mr. and Mrs. Paul Simmons, a daughter, Oct. 18. *Mr. and Mrs. James Taff, a daughter, Oct. 20.
Kirk Yeager, Merriman, is one of 17 seniors at Doane college at Crete, to have been selected to be included in the new edition of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and The College Register. Yeager is a Gordon high school graduate.
The Riverview 4-H club held its reorganization meeting recently at the Ivan Lindsey home. Officers and a club leader were chosen for the coming year. The officers are: president, Beth Lindsey; vice-president, Cori Egli; secretary, Stacy Samuelson; and news reporter, Janet Lindsey. Mrs. Ivan Lindsey was chosen leader for the coming year. A planning committee was chosen. Sandy and Diane Clarke were visitors and joined the club.
The Merriman Speedway association held its awards banquet last Saturday. Awards were given for the racing years of 1977 and 1978. High points award for 1977 went to Mark Yardley, hobby stock; Mike Siders, A stock; and Jim Parks, super stock. Perfect attendance awards for 1977 were presented to Mark Yardley, Spike Smith, Mike Siders, Gary Datus, Jim Parks, Bob Rosane, Frank Morsett, Dwyer Goodwin and Jim Taylor. For the 1978 racing season the high points awards went to Mike Moran, hobby stock; Leroy Guptil, A stock; and Zale Quible, super stock. Those receiving awards for perfect attendance were Zale Quible, Mike Siders, Mike Crawford, Gary Datus and Dwyer Goodwin. Officers elected for the next year were: Bill Briggs, president; Chris Ford, vice-president; Gary Datus, treasurer, and Mike Moran, secretary.
10 Years ago - 1993
Bill Turecheck is still Nebraska’s state horseshoe pitching champion. He won his seventh straight championship in Columbus over the Labor Day weekend.
A camera crew from Texas has been in Gordon recently, taping two Gordon policemen -- Chief Ron Ehlers and Sergeant Jeff Brewer. Ehlers and Brewer will appear on the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN). a satellite network which provides 24-hour programming for law enforce-ment agencies, giving a training session dealing with rifles and shotguns (collectively known as long guns). Sergeant Brewer contacted LETN in July to ask for more information and training pertaining to smaller police departments. Gordon has been the site of several training sessions for long guns, so it was decided to tape the LETN training session in Gordon.
Two new businesses were welcomed to the community by the Chamber of Commerce. One, the Iron Line Recyclers, is owned by Dean and Hazel Wedgewood. The other, The Cinnamon Heart, is owned by Joan Benge and Jana Goranson.
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submitted by Helen Selee
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