Good Old Days 05-30-14

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

May 30, 1914

'Six Year Old Boy Killed By Playful Calves'

Andreas Kretz Meets His Death in an Unusual Manner.

Andres, the six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Gorge Kretz, residing about two miles west of town, was dashed among some rocks by calves he was driving in from the pasture last Sunday evening and was almost instantly killed. The little boy was assisting his nine-year-old brother who took a slightly different route home. Not finding his brother upon arrival there the other boy immediately notified his parents and a search soon revealed the body of the little boy badly battered and bruised with life entirely extinct. He had evidently tied a wire to one of the calves and been jerked headlong into a pile of sharp rocks which cut deep into his face and scalp and caused a fatal finish to his boyish sport.

The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the Catholic and many friends of this estimable family assembled and sorrowed with them in their bereavement.

75 YEARS AGO

May 30, 1939

'Federal Aid Sought

To Control Hoppers'

Officials asked to give Nebraska same help as offered states. The plight of western Nebraska farmers, due to grasshopper infestation, has been placed before Governor R, L. Cochran, Senator Harry Gantz, Senator A. L. Miller, Congressman Harry Coffee and Senator E. R. Burke in a serious of letters, telegrams and telephone conversations by interested farmers and business men in the panhandle. Action was first taken by Box Butte county farmers and alliance chamber of commerce, followed quickly by similar action on the part of the Sidney chamber of commerce.

According to Agriculture Agent Nat Tolman, Box Butte county has serious infestation over one-forth of the farm are. The actual count shows 500 hoppers to the square yard, when 60 to the square yard is considered serious in any season. Agriculture Agent J. C. Swinbank of Cheyenne county reports a very serious situation existing in this county, with complete cooperation necessary to guard against crop destruction by the insects. Some of the hoppers have grown wings and they will be in full flight by June 15, Tolman says and will be laying eggs early in July. This pressages a second hatch by fail. Because of the open range land and other idle land adjacent to the farming land, 100 percent control of the pests is the any program that will bring any adequate and permanent relief. If this is not attempted, the farmers fear an even greater outbreak next season.

While most of the farmers are spreading poison and getting a good kill, their work will not be effective until all of the farm and range land are treated.

50 YEARS AGO

May 27, 1964

'Fair Receives $500

From AK'

Omaha (special) The Cheyenne County Fair Board at Sidney has received $500 from AK-Sar-Ben to be remodel the cattle and sheep barn on the fair grounds, according to president Burgett S. Peetz and secretary L. W. Lindell of the Cheyenne County Fair Board.

The County Fair Improvement Program, now in it's eleventh year, is one of a series of projects of financial assistance to county fairs made possible by funds from AK-Sar-Ben's annual race meeting, according to E.D. Edquist, Chairman of AK-Sar-Ben Public Affairs committee.

The popular county fair program follows the "dollar Matching" principle, in that AK-Sar-Ben agrees to grant $500 to each county fair which agrees to match this with at least an equal amount. In the past, most of the counties taking advantage of these grants have raised far more than $500, resulting in increased facilities.

AK-Sar-Ben sets aside $50,- 000 each year for the improvement program, plus approximately $135,000 annually for County Fair premiums, partly through the State Racing Commission and partly through direct payment to exhibitors by AK-Sar-Ben.

25 YEARS AGO

May 30, 1989

'Telegraph Converts

To Daily'

The Sidney Telegraph, the panhandle's oldest newspaper, begins its 116th year of publication today by becoming Nebraska' newest daily. The Telegraph will be published Monday through Friday afternoons.

Going daily, said Editor Gordan R. Tustin, will provide Telegraph readers more news coverage. Despite now being associated with The Associated Press, Tustin emphasized the Telegraph will continue to stress local news. "Our main concern will remain reporting the news of Sidney and Cheyenne County," he said. "While we will have two more issues a week, and that means more space, there is still enough local news here to make the wire service secondary."

The Telegraph has been the only tri-weekly publication in Nebraska, adopting the three times a week schedule in the early 1950s' Jack Lowe, editor emeritus, who has a 50 year career with The Telegraph, said the move to tri-weekly was made as a step towards going daily being then, but he, added, conditions were never right to take the final step, until now.

"Credit should be given to American Publishing (Owner of the Telegraph) for their confidence in the growth and stability of the panhandle area' said Publisher Walt Handly, "American is also strongly committed to the development of a good local and regional news product."

American Publishing Company has been the owner of the Telegraph since September, 1988. "We need the input of our subscribers to determine the areas we need to develop with our news department," Handly said " Initially, we will be testing a variety of features, comics and other components of the news daily newspaper for reader acceptance. Our goal is to deliver the best newspaper we can we can by maintaining the traditions of the past 115 years while changing with the interests of our subscribers and advertisers."

Readers will see some new features today, and others will be introduced as they become available, said Tustin. Those features will include a daily Entertainment page, featuring comics, a crossword puzzle and bride column, said Tustin. Other features will be added as they become available.

There will also be an increase in sports news, including local, state and national. Tustin said the Telegraph will now be able to increase local coverage, because there will be two more editions a week, and also provide national coverage. Arrangements have been made with the AP to obtain stories about Denver professional teams, including Broncos and the Nuggets. Coverage of markets will also be expanded.

10 YEARS AGO

May 30, 2004

'Public Reminded

To Remember The

True Meaning Of Memorial Day'

A community of family and friends came together at the Veterans Memorial Park in Sidney's Greenwood Cemetery Monday to honor the men and women of the United States Military. Whether veteran or active all were recognized for sacrifices made for their country.

"Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice..... teach your children about the sacrifices made." said guest speaker First Sargent Glen Muhr of the 1057th Transportation Company from Nebraska National Guard in Chadron. Muhr and his unit just returned home from Iraq in April.

Muhr's message reminded people that Memorial Day signifies more than just a three-day weekend. That it's a time for remembrance and recognition of the price Americans pay to be Free.

He said that all should not forget "the price of freedom and those who sacrificed themselves to defend it.... The heart of America is freedom.....America still relies on her sons and daughters to defend her liberty."

Muhr concluded his oration reciting the poem, "Remembering Their All," by Colleen Reddaway Cook. Pastor Bradley Heinecke opened Ceremonies with the invocation and prayer.

Les Larson of American Legion Post #17 gave the welcome. Following First Sergeant Muhr's speech, Rose Mary Lloyd placed a wreath at the base of the Veterans Memorial.

Shots rang out as members of the DAV, VFW and American Legion fired the final salute with Ralph Olsen playing "Taps." Martha Gibbs led all in singing "America the Beautiful," and Larson concluded this year's observance reemphasizing that "Memorial Day is more than just a three day weekend."

Prior to the service the colors were raised on the Avenue of Flags leading to the memorial.