Sheridan County Newspapers & Publications
Echoes of the Past
Sep 17, 2003
extracts by Helen Selee
100 Years Ago - 1903
The northwest, in accordance with the history of nearly all drouth stricken districts, is again returning to good crops and prosperity. The example we give is only one among many others. About three years ago George Stannard bought 160 acres of land four miles southeast of Gordon for $500. The wheat he raised on it this season has been threshed and sold for over $800, which with the rye he has on hand figured at the present market price brings the grain up to the value of $1,042. He has yet five acres of potatoes, some corn and hay, the value of which cannot be estimated at this writing, but it does not seem unreasonable to place the value of the whole crop at $1,500. This is a sample of what many have done the past season and other reports will be published later along after threshing has been done. We got a report of the threshing at Roy Crowder’s place northeast of town and his wheat averaged over 20 bushels per acre, but is not an average crop for this season.
They had heavy snows in Colorado recently, as well as in other places.
Frank Cilek is the name of the new butcher at Rye’s market. He came from Merriman.
Mrs. Julia McCauley lost a purse Monday containing a gold band ring and about $57 in cash, mostly bills. After considerable alarm and skirmishing around, it was found in the mud in front of the Fair Store to the enjoyment of the owner.
Frank Gailey returned home last Saturday from Elgin where he has had charge of his brother’s store for a few weeks. The writer has in a round-about way, been indicating to Frank some of the beauties of matri-mony but can’t give an idea yet as to results. However, ladies matrimonially eligible should keep an eye open for strange symptoms.
We learned recently that Miss Ruby Campbell who went to Fairfax, Mo., last week, did so to take a job in her uncle’s store as clerk and bookkeeper at $40 per month. It takes a pretty good girl of her age to get a job like that, but when they run short on them down east, Sheridan county can generally scare out a few that will please the most fastidious, and there is a new crop in training all the time.
At a recent meeting of the Gordon school board the following ruling was made: That the course of study in this district be in perfect conformity to the course outlined by the State University up to the ninth grade. Beginning with the ninth grade and on through the tenth, to follow the course as outlined for the three year course exactly, and as nearly as possible with the present number of teachers in the eleventh grade, and, in order for a pupil to pass from any one grade to the next, he or she must have a general average of 80 per cent with nothing below 70 per cent.
Frank Hutt and wife returned Monday from Indianola, Iowa, after a visit of a few months. We are glad to welcome them back to Gordon and to see that Frank still retains his original beauty and worthy characteristics.
Miss Pearl Arnot came up from Merriman Thursday and will visit in the city for a few days, when she will go to Rushville to secure a teacher’s certificate before commencing to teach school in the Pole Creek district.
Blessed are they who their Savior obey, and have planted plenty of spuds; For their debts they can pay, most any old day, with plunks they can squander for duds.
A young ranchman arrived in the home of Ed Ross last Friday. With increasing business and prosperity, there must be additional assistance. Mother and son doing fine.
Several days ago a pair of twins came to gladden the family of Tom Comer. Mrs. C. is still in Sioux City, Iowa, but Mrs. Hiller returned last week with the youngest boy who is sick at the home at Porcupine. Some parties came to Gordon after a doctor on Monday.
About the easiest way to get out of it is to say that most everybody from everywhere was in town this week. There was no school on Thursday or Friday to let the children attend the fair.
Ray Lyon went to Fremont Sunday morning where he will attend school this winter.
Dr. Clayton, of Chadron, has sold out his household and professional effects to Dr. Mossman. The writer met Dr. Mossman while attending the osteopathic school in Kirksville, Mo., and found him to be an estimable and able gentleman. Mrs. Mossman is also a graduate in osteopathy and will assist her husband in the work. Dr. Clayton will go to California.
It is claimed that the state fair cleared about $7,000.
DIED
On Sunday, September 6, 1903, at his home 11 miles east of Gordon, Isaac Liptrap passed from this life at the mature age of 88 years, after an illness of about a week. He has been in northwest Nebraska for many years. Early in life he became a member of the Baptist church. He was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and was married for over 60 years, being the father of 13 children, four of whom survive him with their mother, who is yet living but in poor health. The remains were interred in the Lavaca Cemetery.
Miss Lou Brewer left last Saturday morning for Billings, Montana, where she has been engaged as teacher in the Billings public schools. She gave good satisfaction there last year and they were glad to have her again, and at a good salary.
It costs the state of Nebraska seven and a half cents a day to feed convicts at the penitentiary. It costs the city of Omaha 16 ½ cents a day to feed vagrants and disturbers of the peace in the city jail. It costs the county of Douglas 45 cents a day to feed the honored guests in the county jail. Does this make any sense to anyone? From 7 ½ to 45 cents difference
Let’s fix up our sidewalks, keep our cow and horse from boring the life out of our neighbors, make the children behave themselves, treat every-body decently, honestly and kindly trusting the Lord, and we will be happy if we don’t get rich.
Letters to the Editor:
Mr. Editor: I will give my remedy for killing prairie dogs. I rid my wheat ground last spring of six or eight holes filled with them by stewing one quart of wheat until swelled, adding strychnine about the size of a pea and about two tablespoons of sugar, stirring thoroughly. After standing for a few hours, I put the grains both outside and inside of the holes and cleaned them out thoroughly.
W.E. HALLER
Bloomington, Nebr.
75 Years Ago - 1928
The high winds of the past week delayed threshing and toppled over hay stacks, clover shocks and small out-buildings.
Several of the neighbors reported hearing Hoover and Smith speeches over the radio this week. We’ll wager that the World Series starting October fourth arouses more interest.
Wayne Maddox, seven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Maddox, was shot in the knee of the right leg by the accidental discharge of a gun about five o’clock Sunday evening. He was taken to the hospital and it was discovered that several fragments of bone were taken from the knee. He is getting along as well as could be expected.
Wm. O’Mara, an early settler living in the country between Hay Springs and Alliance, committed suicide by hanging last Saturday night. At one time, he was one of the wealthiest men in that section, but in recent years, he met steady reverses. It is believed that financial worries caused his suicide.
With the first football game of the season coming next week with Alliance, the Gordon High School football team is putting in some strenuous practice licks. Experienced men from last year’s team who are back include Anderson, half-back; Mansfield, quarter back; Hummell, full back; Caparoon, center, Dixon, guard; McGaughey, half back; Conner, end, and Hatch, tackle. Others who are making good are Shadbolt, at end, Skinner and Steinhaus, half backs, Hutton, tackle, and Fry, Reed and Matteson, guards. Unless the team is hit by injuries, Coach Carroll believes the team will develop into a winning one.
Miss Irene Vanderburg of Rushville and Mr. Myron Holsinger of this city were united in marriage at Chadron on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1928. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Adolph Pfisterer and has been employed as clerk in the post office in Rushville for several years past. She is a graduate of the Rushville high school. Mr. Holsinger is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Holsinger and is proprietor of the Standard Service station. The happy couple left immediately after the ceremony for a honeymoon trip through the west. They have many friends who wish them well.
Miss Ruth Grant of Crawford and Mr. Henry Thebault of Gordon, were married in Martin, S.D. Sept. 3, 1928. They are at home at the Merchants Hotel, as Mr. Thebault is an employee there. On Saturday evening, Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Decker were host and hostess at a wedding dinner for them and also Mr. and Mrs. James Boyle Jr., who were married on that day. Mr. Boyle was also an employee at the hotel.
Miss Lucille Anthens and Mr. James Boyle Jr., were married at Martin, S.D. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 1928. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Ross Thompson and has grown to womanhood here. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Boyle, Sr. and has been operating the laundry at the Merchants Hotel. They left on a honeymoon trip to Canada on Monday, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. James Boyle Sr. on a visit with relatives there.
The Crystal Bakery is now equipped with an Allison Century high speed bread mixer. Mr. Rudolph Seversike of Omaha, service man for Omar Flour company, spent three days last week here installing and giving instructions. He also left the latest eastern methods of mixing bread and rolls and many choice recipes. Mr. George Nelson states that a new oven will also be built, with twice the space of the present one. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are giving this community the best in baked goods.
The eighteen month old baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coon fell into a shallow basin of water around a well at their farm home north of Gordon on Friday about noon and was drowned. The recent rains had filled the basin with water. The mother thought the bay was with the father and was not alarmed over its absence. It is, indeed, a sad occurrence, and the parents have the sympathy of their neighbors and friends in the loss of their little one. Doris Marie Coon was born February 13, 1927, and died September 14, 1928, aged one year 7 months and one day. She leaves to mourn her loss, her parents, one brother and sister, grandparents and a host of relatives. Funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian Church of Gordon Sunday afternoon by Rev. C.L. Shelby and interment was made in the Gordon cemetery.
Catharine Elizabeth King was born in McKane county, Pa., July 27, 1841, and passed away at Neligh, Nebraska, Thursday, Sept. 6th, 1928. On February 13, 1859, she was married to Daniel E. Beckwith and lived at Smithport until after the Civil War, in which her husband had enlisted early on. . She leaves to mourn her passing, seven children: Mrs. Ed Hall, Neligh; Harry Beckwith, Neligh; Ed Beckwith, Neligh; Fred Beckwith, Emmet; L.A. Beck-with, Gordon; Clyde Beckwith, Crawford; and Roy Beckwith, Alliance. Her funeral was widely attended and gifts of flowers was profuse.
Time and again this writer has been asked how it came about that a chunk was taken out of southwestern Nebraska and given to Colorado to make that state square. All efforts to ascertain the reason have proved unavailing. Why was that big nick made in southwestern Nebraska????????
Mr. and Mrs. John Weatherhogg announce the birth of a son, Curtis Ramon, on September 14, in Lincoln, Nebr. Mr. Weatherhogg is superinten-dent of schools in Bloomfield. Mrs. Weatherhogg was formerly Laverne Birdsall.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newman are the parents of a son born September 15.
Mr. and Mrs. Hans Jensen announce the birth of a baby daughter, Monday, Sept. 17.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, who live on the river, are the parents of a baby daughter, born September 14.
Carl Dohse and wife are the proud parents of a new boy.
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hull sustained a broken collar bone Wednesday evening when she fell from a bed.
50 Years Ago - 1953
Gloria Huckfeldt, Gordon, took top 4H and FFA honors at the Sheridan County Fair, when her baby beef was judged grand champion of the show. Reserve champion of the show was James Aspinall’s baby beef, which Jim raised himself. In the sheep division, Joyce Tiensvold, Gordon, won first in showman-ship and Wayne Aspinall, Gordon, placed second. Honors in the dairy cattle division went to Dale Hebbert; the top honors in the swine division went to James Aspinall, second place went to Virgil Billeter, Gordon.
Mrs. Ganz Hensley entertained at a wiener roast at the City park Monday afternoon honoring her son Johnny who was ten years old. Guests were Teddy Kayton, Jerry Skinner, Roger Shepard, Jerry Krasomil, Wayne Gardiner and Billy and David Hensley.
Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Johnson are the parents of a son, Mark William, born Sept. 10, 1953.
Charles P. Weisflock and Emily J. Robinson were married in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday morning, Sept. 9, by the Rev. J.F. Boerger. After a honeymoon trip to Frankfort, S.D., the couple will be at home on Spruce street.
The Pleasant Hill Project Club met at the home of Mrs. Bill Perry, where election of officers was held. The following officers were chosen for the coming year: Mrs. Melvin Armstrong, president; Mrs. Julius Johnson, vice-president; Mrs. Robert Shanks, secretary-treasurer.
Senator and Mrs. Dwight Griswold were Friday evening dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Duerfeldt.
Wayne Hatch, USN, and Mrs. Hatch, of Norfolk, Va. are spending a two week leave at the Lester Hatch home.
C.G. Buchan has sold the fixtures and stock of the Alamo bar and pool hall to W.G. Ballard and George Johnston of Valentine. The new owners plan to take possession in the near future. Mr. Buchan has not announced his plans.
Jim Buckles of Merriman with a season’s average of 20.5 seconds on 10 calves was named the champion of the year by the Gordon Roping club in a deciding contest held Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Gordon Roping club arena. He was presented with a belt buckle furnished by the Gordon Roping Club. Grant Otis was a very close second with a 10 calf average of 20.9 seconds and was presented a pair of spurs donated by Morgan’s Shoe Shop. Dean Hare came in third with an average of 23.9 seconds on 10 calves. He received a shirt presented by the Ideal Clothing Store. In a meeting following the roping, new officers were: Jim Buckles, president; Grant Otis, secretary/treasurer; Andy Andersen was elected to the board of directors for a four-year term; John Anderson, three years; Dean Hare, two years, and Joe McConnaughy for one year.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Nielson entertained at a birthday dinner Sunday for their son Gary and also for Kenny McGaughey. Gary’s birthday was the 5th and Kenny’s birthday was the 9th of September. Guests present were Mr. and Mrs. Del Britt, Bob McGaughey, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby McGaughey and family, Miss Martha Nielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nielsen and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bornemann and Rosann.
Dave Brandon left Monday for El Paso, Tex., where he will enroll in Texas Western which is associated with the University of Texas. Dave is attending college on a four-year scholarship.
A polite man is one who listens with apparent interest to things he knows all about, when they are told to him by a person who knows nothing about them.
Mildred Gealy, University of Nebraska student from Gordon, has pledged Kappa Delta sorority according to lists released in Lincoln last weekend.
Irene Wittig, 1953 graduate of Gordon High School, is attending Dana College in Blair where she is taking a pre-nursing course.
Aviation Technician Chief Morris E. and Mrs. Coon arrived Sunday from their home in Sunnyvale, Calif. and will be Fair Week visitors at the W.L. Coon home. They will also visit in the Walter Tenney and Dick Walker homes before returning to California.
Mrs. Ben Schrader entertained 16 guests Saturday afternoon honoring her daughter, Rita Frances, who was six years old. Following an afternoon of games, birthday cake and ice cream were served the small guests, with balloons and suckers presented as favors.
An exceptionally unattractive woman rushed into the police station and said, “A man has been following me for three blocks, and I think he must be drunk.” The police officer looked her over thoughtfully and said, “Yes, Ma’am, I think he must be.”
25 Years Ago - 1978
Members of the Chadron Jayceettes met with wives of the Gordon Jaycees to help them form an organization to assist the Gordon Jaycees in civic and social affairs and various planned activities. Officers elected were: President, Sandi Muirhead; Vice-President, Louise Landon; Secretary, Colleen Messersmith, and Treasurer, Sharon Robinett.
Vonda Goodwin Fochtman and John W. Boyd announce their forthcoming marriage on Sept. 23rd. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Goodwin of Merriman, and Mr. and Mrs. William N Boyd Jr. of Neligh.
Kevin Cummings of Gordon received a purple ribbon on his grass display board in the Ag Mechanics exhibit in the FFA Division of the 1978 Nebraska State Fair. His was one of 71 purple ribbons awarded out of the 300 displays.
Miss Kelly K. Brewer, daughter of Mrs. Alice Brewer, Gordon, and Ross Brewer, Meeteetse, Wyo., became the bride of Clark Thorsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Thorsen, also of Gordon, on Friday evening, Aug. 25, 1978, at the Church of God in Gordon. The bride, a Gordon High School graduate, was employed as hostess at the Hacienda Restaurant. Her husband, also a graduate of Gordon High School, attended American Flyers school and holds a commercial pilot’s license. The newlyweds are living near Gordon, Bayonne route, where the groom is engaged in farming with his father.
Kelly Park in McCook was the setting at 6:00 o’clock Saturday evening, August 26, when Miss Judy Allen of Lincoln, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merritt Allen, McCook, became the bride of Joe Krasomil, of Lincoln, son of Zane Krasomil of Gordon and Deane Krasomil, Ashley. After the wedding trip, the couple will live at 4250 W Street in Lincoln.
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updated on
Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 20:00:37 MDT
submitted by Helen Selee
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