Good Old Days – 04-11-14

Compiled By The Sidney Sun-Telegraph Staff

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

100 YEARS AGO

April 18, 1914

'Two Blazes Of Small Property Damage'

The fire department made two runs this week. Saturday night about 8 o'clock the call was made to the Union Pacific Depot where a small fire had made quite a brave start in the express office. Some mail sacks were burned but most of the mail was saved by cutting the sacks. The fire was soon extinguished.

Wednesday night at nine o'clock the barn at the Lyon home was found on fire. This too was put out by prompt work, but the fire ate a big chunk out the full height of the building.

75 YEARS AGO

April 14, 1939

'Assault And Battery Complaint Is Entered'

A complaint charging Ervin Frahm with assault and battery was filed in County Court Tuesday by County Attorney R. P. Kepler. According to Sheriff W. W. Schultz, Frahm is accused of striking Walter Nelson during an argument at Potter Last Saturday night, fracturing Nelsons Jaw.

When Frahm was brought before Judge Robert A. Barlow he pleaded "guilty in self defense". Barlow explained that such a plea is impossible and advised a not guilty plea if Frahm felt he struck Nelson to defend himself.

50 YEARS AGO

April 13, 1964

'Car Damaged In Snowstorm'

A 1959 model car was heavily damaged and a passenger was injured in a one-car accident that happened in the midst of the snowstorm at 10:30 a.m. Sunday south of Gurley.

Trooper Paul Manley of the Nebraska Safety Patrol said that Mrs. JoAnn Ewert,

Gurley, driving a 1959 Ford, was southbound on 385 when the car went across the highway into the lane of oncoming traffic. Mrs. Ewert pulled the car back and went out of control, starting to slide, and went off the west side of the highway into the borrow pit and struck a rock embankment.

Mrs. Ewert's 13 year old daughter, Sandra Ann, the only passenger, suffered a cut on the forehead. She was treated at Memorial Hospital and then released.

25 YEARS AGO

April 7, 1989

'JCPenny To Close Sidney Store'

A Sidney business fixture for about 60 years, will be closing this summer. JCPenny Company, Inc., announced /Friday that it will close its Sidney store. Bob Briest, district manager for JCPenny stores in this area, said "We have been searching for alternate solutions for some time. However, we have reluctantly concluded that we cannot justify the continued operation of the Sidney store in the face of declining sales and profits. Our results, especially during the past several years, simply do not make it feasible to continue operations".

The Sidney store will close about June 24, said Briest. He added that extensive efforts will be made to place affected associates in other Penny units or with other employers. Although Penny is closing this store, Briest pointed out that the company will continue to serve the community through stores in Scottsbluff, North Platte and Sterling, CO, as well as through its catalog service.

The JCPenny store opened in Sidney in the late 1920's. At that time, the store was located where Gambles is today.

10 YEARS AGO

April 13, 2004

'City Tells Plans Of Tree Giveaway'

For 18 consecutive years, the city of Sidney has earned Tree city USA designation and to commensurate the event, and National Arbor Day, the city will sponsor its annual tree giveaway program. The program, begins with an 8 a.m. registration Saturday, April 17. The first 80 people to register and attend the training program will receive a five foot to seven foot bare-root broadleaf tree. "We feel the educational component of the program is extremely important in planting trees and may help prevent problems when the grow," said Tom VonSehhern, chairman of Sidney's Tree Board. The tree day program will be in the parking lot east of the Bertrum O'Conner Municipal Swimming Pool. April 24 will be the inclement weather day for the program. "Trees provide many benefits; however, an improperly planted tree can create serious problems and costly repairs to the sidewalks,, streets, house foundations and electrical wires," VonSeggern said. Participants must attend the entire program to receive a free tree. The tree give-away is limited to persons residing in Sidney.

This year's tree species, all adaptable to Sidney's climate, including Red Oak, Hackberry, Catalpa, Accolade Elm, Newport Flowering Plum, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Redmond Linden, Purple Robe Locust, European Mountain Ash and Chinka Pin Oak. The tree gave-away offers an opportunity to diversify tree species in the city, Vonseggern said. Individuals who plan and care for trees help replenish our resources by replacing dying and mature trees. Sidney has earned Tree City USA recognition for 18 years. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. To earn Tree City USA designation a community must meet four standards: Have a tree board, a city tree ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and Arbor Day observance.