Good Old Days 10-31-14

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.

50 YEARS AGO

Oct. 28, 1964

'Mr. Hoover: On The Durability Of Freedom'

Former President Herbert Hoover delivered these remarks on his 88th Birthday, Aug. 10, 1962. The occasion was his return to his birthplace in West Branch, Iowa , for the dedication of the Hoover Presidential Library.

Our people we are deeply troubled, not only about the turbulent world around us but also with international problems which haunt our days and nights. There are many despairing voices. There are many undertones of discouragement. The press headlines imply that corruption, crime, divorce, youthful delinquency, and Hollywood love trysts are our national occupations.

And amid all these voices is a cry that the american way of life is on its way to decline and fall. I do not believe it. Perhaps amid this din of voices and headlines of gloom, I may say something about the inner forces from which come the strengths of America. They assure its future and its continued service to mankind.

The mightiest assurances of our future are the intangible spiritual and intellectual forces in our people, which we express, not by the words of The United States, but by the word America. That word America carries meanings which lie deep in the soul of our people. It reaches far beyond beyond the size of cities and factories, It springs from our religious faith, our ideals, of individual freedom and equal opportunity, which have come in centuries since we landed on these shores. It rises from our pride in great accomplishments of our nation and from the sacrifices and devotion of those who have passed o. It lifts us above the ugliness of the day. It has guided us through even greater crisis in our past. And from these forces, solutions will come again.

This representative government, with its 186 years of life, has lasted longer than any other republic in history.

If you look about, you will see the steeples of ten of thousands of places of worship. Each week a hundred million people come to affirm their faith. If you look you will find the Bill of Rights is an enforced law of the land; that the dignity of man and equality of opportunity more nearly survive in this land than in any other on earth.

If you look, you will also find that from our educational system there comes every year a host of stimulated minds They bring new scientific discoveries, new inventions, and new ideas. It is true that they revolutionize our daily lives. But we can readily adjust ourselves and our government to them without the assistance of Karl Marx.

I could go on and on reciting the mighty forces in American life which assure its progress and its durability. Perhaps on this occasion it would not be immodest or inappropriate for me to site my own life as proof of what America brings to her children.

As a boy of 10, I was taken from this village to the far West 78 years ago. My only material assets were two dimes in my pocket, the suit of clothes I wore. I had some extra underpinnings provided by my loving aunts.

But I carried from here something more precious. I had a certificate of the fourth or fifth grade of higher learning. I had a stern grounding of religious faith. I carried with me recollections of a joyous childhood, where the winter snows and the growing crops of Iowa were an especial provision for kids.

And in conclusion, may I say to the boys and girls of America that the doors of opportunity are still open to you. Today the durability of freedom is more secure in America than in any other place in the world.

May God bring you even more great blessings.

25 YEARS AGO

Oct. 30, 1989

'Weyerts Residents Mark Old District 32 School'

With the financial help of many others, three residents of the former School District 32 have erected an attractive monument to the old one-room school that was in use 13 miles west of Gurley until just two years ago.

The 4-foot by 6-foot granite monument is located just to the west of the cemetery at Immanuel Lutheran Church, generally known as the "Weyerts Lutheran Church" for the community of Weyerts that have existed and included a general store that burned down one Halloween night.

The old building, the last of three that served District 32 since 1892, still stands one mile south and a mile east of the monument. The building and the two acres of land on which it is located was purchased by Clarence Horst and his son, Randy, and is used for a shop now. It is a mile and three-quarters from Horst's farm.

The old school has special meaning to the Horsts. Clarences's wife, Dorothy, served on the school boarde many years. She, along with George and Geneva Narjes, were instrumental in seeing that the monument to School District 32 was put in place.

Part of the funds for the monument was raised by the sale of the school building. Several other people in the area, some of whom attended the old school, also contributed funds and ideas for its inscriptions.

The marker is engraved on both sides. On the side facing the paved roadway are depicted the school, and the general store-Post office that burned down.

These words are engraved: "With faith and tenacity the first families of Weyerts began building their community originally named Neu Ostfriesland. in 1885 these German settlers formed the Immanuel Lutheran Congregation in 1886, building the sod church in 1887. The Weyerts School Dist. #32 Cheyenne County, organized in 1892, was used until 1985. The school site is one mile south and one mile east of here. The Weyerts Post Office-general store building, adjacent to the school, was destroyed by fire in 1920."

The opposite side of the monument bears these words: "This marker is dedicated with respect and honor to our families, the pioneers of Weyerts Community by the people of School District #32. The Year of Our Lord 1989." On it are engraved depictions of early day farming scenes. The last building that was used was built in the mid-1920s replacing one about half its size which is still standing and is used by the Horsts as a shop on their farm. It was there when Horst's father bought the farm in the 1930s. It apparently replaced the original one-room school.

The $1,440 monument to a school district is paid for, but the group that made it possible would like to landscape the area – maybe put in a drive leading up to it from the road. They have established a bank account in which to collect an donations for future work and maintenance.

10 YEARS AGO

Oct. 30, 2004

'Gold Rush Day Wins Main Street Award'

Sidney's first Gold Rush Day was named Best Special Event at the 10th Anniversary Conference and Awards Program of the Nebraska Lied Main Street Program.

Award winners in 12 categories of downtown revitalization were announced at the conference Thursday at Fremont.

Also cited were Doug and Barb Meier of Sidney in the Merchant of the Year Category. They own the Book Corner/Coffee Corner.

Jim Pelster was cited as one of 10 Volunteers of the Year.

Main Street communities fall into one of three categories based on level of service and commitment to the program. Sidney is a Certified Community (with a manager and four working committees). Other communities in that category are Beatrice, Fremont, Gothenburg, Lexington, Ogallala, Plattsmouth and Wayne.

5 YEARS AGO

Oct. 31, 2009

'Storm Knocks Out Power In South-Central Nebraska'

A foot of wet snow knocked out power to about 1,100 customers of south central Nebraska utility district. Spokeswoman for Dawson Public Power District said that the snow had piled up on the lines because of gusting 40 mph winds.

Schools through the region closed, and some high school football championship playoff games were delayed to Saturday.