Good Old Days 02-27-15

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

Feb. 24, 1965

'Three Hurt In Collision with Pole'

Three youths were injured and heavy damage was done to the car in which they were riding when it collided with a light pole at 7:06 p.m. Monday. Sidney Police reported that the accident happened at 19th and Maple.

Taken to Memorial Hospital for treatment were the driver, Bonnie J. Countryman, 16, who sustained cuts on the knees and a back injury; Greg Orton, 14, who hurt his left leg; and James Countryman, 14, who received cuts and bruises.

The police report stated that the driver of the 1959 Studebaker turned around for a moment to talk to the passengers in the back seat and when she looked back her car was on the wrong side of the street. She accidentally put her foot on the accelerator rather than the brake and smashed into the light pole. Damage to the car was estimated at $360, with none reported to the pole.

A runaway parked car struck another parked vehicle in an accident early Wednesday morning at 2222 Cheyenne Road. Police said the collision happened at 6:14 a.m. when a 1960 Cadillac, parked on a hill by Ronald L. Smith started to roll and didn't stop until it had gone across the road, into a yard a struck a parked 1964 Ford owned by Lloyd Biedermann, 222 Cheyenne Road.

Damages were set at $75 to the Cadillac and $206 to the Ford.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 23, 1990

'Quilting Becomes Addictive To Dalton Women'

More than 100 years of quilting experience are present when the six ladies who comprise Dalton's St. Mary's Church quilting club meet in Esther Henke's home. They've been quilting together for more than 15 years, although only recently have they enjoyed the spacious comfort afforded by the basement of the home Henke just bought last summer.

"It's addictive," says Phyllis Ernest. "Yes," agrees Henke. "We keep saying, "just a little bit more before we quit today."

Once the ladies start on a quilt-normally measuring 81"x92" – it doesn't take them long to finish it. Less than a week. Then they rest for a week "and let our fingers heal," before starting the next one.

Their quilting is done only "in season" – when cold weather drives them out of their gardens and flower beds and turns their thoughts to warm coverings. About half of their yearly production of quilts is donated to the needs through St. Mary's and the Catholic church in Alliance. The other half are made-to-order for customers.

"Several years ago somebody had a quit they wanted, we did it, and now we have a long waiting list," says Ernest. Proceeds from these projects go into the "quilting kitty," which pays for thread, batting and other supplies. What's left over goes into the church treasury. One quilt is always saved for the annual raffle at the St. Mary's fall dinner.

Henke and Catherine Ketteler have been quilting for 30 years, Jeannete Pelster for 15 and Ernest for 10. Margeret McCabe and Rose Devier are also "regulars" in the quilting basement and have been active in the hobby for about 10 years.

Each lady's estimate of her time in this hobby is probably on the conservative side, because there's quilting-which involves adding batting-and then there's something called making quilt tops and then something else called tying, distinctions likely to bewilder the uninitiated. Apparently the ladies count only the more complex operation when totaling their time.

Dalton has another well-known quitter, Inez Kraiter, who at the age 86 is still turning out work. Mayme Schuler and Joan Zigler are another two. Though not regular members of the St. Mary's group, they help out occasionally and contribute a number of quilt tops.

There's a lot of people quilting," says Henke. "It's not a lost art by any means."

10 Years Ago

Feb. 25, 2005

'Driver Killed When Train Broadsides Vehicle'

A Cheyenne County man was killed Thursday morning when his sports utility vehicle was hit broadside by a northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe diesel unit in Gurley.

Mikel Huaracha, 42, of Gurley died instantly when the impact threw him form the vehicle and the train passed over him.

The collision happened at about 10 a.m. at a crossing leading from the south end of the Crossroads Co-op Elevator onto U.S. Highway 385.

The train was stopped, with the vehicle still wrapped around the front of the lead unit, about 30 yards south of Gurley's main crossing leading from the highway to the west side of the community.

Sheriff Darrell Johnson, at least two deputies from the Sheriff's Office, a member of the Nebraska State Patrol, members of the Gurley Volunteer Fire Department and an ambulance crew from Emergency Response Care were on the scene Thursday morning. Employees of the Nebraska Department of Roads assisted in traffic control.

Officials from the BNSF arrived at the scene at about 11:15 a.m. Thursday to aid in the investigation.

Johnson said it appeared the victim was apparently unaware of the approaching train as he left the elevator and drove directly into its path.

5 Years Ago

Feb. 25, 2010

'Sidney Hosts Statehood Party'

The Sidney High School gymnasium was filled with area elementary students as the school hosted Sidney's first statehood celebration in which Nebraska turns 143 this year.

Secretary of State John Gale whose office sponsors the statehood celebration, appeared before the students as Cactus Jack to help lead sing-alongs, test the student's knowledge and help instill a sense of state pride.

"We do this because it promotes state pride," Gayle said. "It promotes education and how important it is. We want our students to grow up not just as proud citizens, but as active citizens who get out there and vote."

The Potter-Dix choir started the celebration off by singing the state song, "Beautiful Nebraska." Cactus Jack then discussed some Nebraska history, including the importance of railroads and how families had to find ways to entertain themselves.

To help illustrate the point, professional entertainers Chris Sayre and David Seay dressed in old time attire and brought the old instruments, including a bugle, guitars, spoons, whistles, harmonica and a saw. Cactus Jack also told the children that families used washboards as part of the family and playing them with a thimble.

Attending elementary schools included Sidney, Potter-Dix, Layton, Oshkosh and Kimball.