Looking Back

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

‘Most Thrilling Drama’

April 12, 1913

One of the most thrilling plays and at the same time “the most interesting and amusing is Molnar’s comedy play, “The Devil,” which will introduce the eminent actor, Eduard Waldmann and his company in the above play at the Opera House Saturday, May 10 where Mr. Waldmann has been selected as the special attraction. Although he has appeared in all the great Shakespearean plays, Mr. Waldmann’s greatest success, especially in the larger cities, has been attained in the interpretation of the dual role of the sensation drama.

75 YEARS AGO

‘Man Arrested Here For Grant Authorities”

April 12, 1938

Sheriff W. W. Schultz reported Friday that he had taken into custody a man giving the name of Troy Stulesman, who was wanted by Grant, Nebraska authorities for questioning in connection with the theft of five tractor magnetoes. Schultz said he was informed that the magnetoes were sold at Gering for $200. Later, Stulesman was reported to have purchased a used automobile. Stulesman was turned over to a special agent of the railroad, because some of the magnetoes were taken from tractors on railroad property.

50 YEARS AGO

‘Four Break-ins Here Net Small Amount’

April 12, 1963

A rash of break-ins on Wednesday night took both police and sheriff officers to locations which apparently the same culprits entered four Sunday businesses.

The Ready Mix Concrete office was entered by having a window smashed and a very small amount of money was taken. The Sidney Ideal Stone office in the same general area was entered by the same method. Nothing was taken. Dr. R. H. Rybolt’s dental office at 1432 Illinois had a glass in a door broken to gain entrance, and here a very small amount of money was taken. The Osborn Insurance office at 930-1/2 Tenth Avenue was entered by forcing a lock on the door. Nothing was taken here.

In each case there was much evidence of drawers and files being rifled, with papers and documents being thrown around. However, the officers said that in no case was there any serious vandalism. Total amount of money missing from all places was under $10. Law officers are convinced that all robberies were committed by the same persons and considerable evidence is at hand to pinpoint the identity of the guilty ones.

25 YEARS AGO

‘Passing Trucker Helps Avert Tragedy’

April 11, 1988

Quick action by a passing truck driver may have presented a serious accident late Friday from being much worse.

According to Nebraska State Patrolmen Warren Nelson and Don Connelly, one semi tractor was demolished and diesel fuel was sprayed across a wide area of I-80 in the 11:30 p.m. collision.

Injuries were limited to a possible concussion, cuts and bruises.

The mishap apparently occurred, Nelson said, when a westbound semi, driven by Zbigniew Zlotorzgcki, 27, Chicago, apparently pulled onto the interstate from the west area. “He was in the right-hand lane, but he wasn’t quite up to minimum speed, when the second truck, driven by Maurice H. Osborne, 37, Yarmouth, IA, came up on him faster than the driver thought.”

The second truck, a 1985 Peterbilt, rammed Zlotorzgcki’s trailer pulled by a 1987 Kenworth, causing approximately $8,000 damage to the trailer. The collision demolished the Peterbilt, a loss of about $40,000, Nelson estimated.

“There was a fire in the wrecked tractor,” Nelson reported, but a passing trucker jumped out of his semi with an extinguisher and had it out before we got there. It’s a good thing, too, because the way the diesel was splashed around the scene, it could have been bad.”

Both troopers apparently received the call because they were monitoring citizen’s band frequencies. They were first on the scene, two-tenths of a mile west of mile marker 61, “It was just west of the west-bound rest area,” Nelson described. A new NSP officer, he is riding with Connelly as part of his training.

The first call on the accident, to Sidney Volunteer Firemen, stated they were being called to a truck fire. A second page, to Cheyenne County Ambulance Service, also reported a truck fire, but further indicated there had been a collision.

At the scene firemen worked quickly to assist ambulance personnel in treating both occupants of the second truck. Osborne was wearing a seat belt, which was credited by Connelly with possibly saving his life. He was treated for cuts, bruises and a possible concussion. A passenger, co-driver Barney Hatfield, 63, Canton, MO, was in the sleeper and also escaped serious injury. He was also treated for lacerations and contusions.

Because of the large amount of fuel spilled at the scene, Sidney firemen hosed down the area and Nebraska Department of Roads personnel were summoned to spread sand on the highway to help soak up the spill.

10 YEARS AGO

‘Annual Spring Fling, Expo Keep Sidney

Hopping Over Weekend’

April 15, 2003

The weather was exceptionally nice for weekend events in Sidney. The annual Spring Fling, sponsored by the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Business Boosters attracted a steady amount of traffic.

Winners of the “Shoppers Easter Egg Hunt” were Lois Lamm and Robert Hedges. They took home gift baskets filled with items from Sidney businesses.

The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department provided two fire trucks for weekend shoppers to inspect, including the new Phoenix multi-agent fire truck.

The units were on display downtown and at the KWEST Expo held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. EMT’s with Emergency Response Care also gave ambulance tours and conducted complimentary blood pressure testing.

The expo attracted over 40 commercial merchants from around the region. Their booths contained items ranging from hot tubs and new windows to landscaping materials and antiques.