Hitchcock Hometown History Week of January 15th, 2025
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News of 1905
The Trenton Register
120 Years Ago
Trenton News Notes
Up to the hour of going to press we have received no poems on the beautiful snow, for which let us return thanks.
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Last Friday was rather a peculiar day in this part of the world. In the morning it was bright and clear and gave promise of summer weather. Later in the day, however, it clouded up, got dark, and snowed hard, just like our April showers. This was repeated several times during the afternoon.
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This village now has the best side and crosswalks of any town of its size in the State of Nebraska, or any other state for that matter.
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We hope that every citizen in this village will look on the bright, and not the dark side of life, during the coming year. If you have troubles, and you are sure to have them, meet them with a smile, not a frown. They will be easier to bear and it will be more pleasant for those around you.
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Elmer and Walter Besack of Stratton are building a new house, 18×24, on the Owen Murtha farm, west of town. The new house is to take the place of the old sod shanty on the claim.
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A man and woman, representing themselves as belonging to the church of God, were in town, last Thursday, and visited almost every home in town, asking for money, something to eat and a place to sleep. Their religious views were of a peculiar kind and they were very easy to take offense, practically insulting everyone with whom they talked, providing they did not look at everything from their point of view. Some people make us tired.
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W.C. Richards, whom we mentioned last week as being here from Fairbury, has rented Mrs. Ann Coffelt’s residence property in the southwest part of town and as soon as profession can be given will move his family into the same. Mr. Richards is clerking for C.L. Allen in his grocery and meat market. We gladly welcome Mr. Richards and family as residents of this village.
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The skating on the river and ponds near town has been good during the past two weeks and the merry laughter of the young people testifies to the pleasure they are getting out of the sport.
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S.L. Davies has just installed a fine gasoline lighting plant in his hall.
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The Woodmen installed their newly elected officers Thursday night, after which an oyster supper was indulged in and the evening was spent in social games of amusement.
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It began snowing here, Tuesday morning and kept it up almost continually until Wednesday noon, making a white covering on the ground of fully six inches. It came without wind and therefore laid where it fell.
Stratton Local News
While Dr. Dodge was over from Palisade last week he had the misfortune to break a spring in his automobile and the vehicle is now installed in W.G. Morten’s store room awaiting repairs. The doctor drove Mr. Morten’s horse home.
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J.H. Ratcliff, proprietor of the new barber shop, sold out the business to Herman Perry of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mr. Perry is a stranger to Stratton, but we welcome him to our business circles and congratulate him on having purchased one of the neatest little shops in Southwestern Nebraska.
News of 1935
The Republican Leader
90 Years Ago
Highway Re-Route Gains Momentum
How far is it to Brush from the junction west of Culbertson over Highways No. 6 and 34. Just how much saving in miles can be made by traveling No. 34? these questions have been asked by many people of this region for number of years, and until Sunday no authentic answer could be given. Last Sunday H.B. Chipman, J.W. Reutzel, and Elbert L. Taylor made the entire trip and measured distances. It was found that the distance from the junction west of Culbertson to the junction east of Brush measured 171.9 miles over No. 6 and 156.2 miles over No. 34, giving a saving of 15.7 miles in favor of No. 34. On the same day a car from Benkelman traveled the same route and found practically the same distances. Both trips were made at the request of the good roads meeting held in Benkelman the week previous.
Leaving Trenton at 6:30 in the morning the party made the entire trip in eight hours time, stopping at Wray and Imperial for lunches, averaging about 47 miles per hour. The roads were found in good shape all the way over both routes. Facts were noted so that a proper report could be made before proper officials preparatory to the asking for the re-routing of No. 6 highway over the No. 34 route. The 15.7 miles saving for No. 34 would make a considerable saving in the money required to hard surface the road. In addition to this, there are many places along route No. 34 where the distance can be shortened still more, while the most of the route followed by No. 6 has already had the kinks and turns taken out, and is about as short as can be made.
At the Benkelman meeting a committee composed of J.W. Reutzel of Trenton, Wade Martin of Stratton and Leon L. Hines of Benkelman was appointed to go to Lincoln, Tuesday of this week and meet with Governor Cochran, State Engineer Tilley and others and gained information such as to proper procedure. Contacts are being made with others and another big meeting of road enthusiasts will be called in the near future probably at Wray. Town along both highways are making every possible effort to gain recognition, which is as it should be, but certainly there should no cause for any ill feeling between towns on the two routes. Get what you can, fight for your rights, but give the other fellow the same privilege.
Social Events
Mrs. W.W. Powell’s Sunday School class gave her a delightful surprise Wednesday afternoon. It was the time for the regular monthly gathering of the class and the meeting place had been arranged to be at the home of Mrs. R.W. Derauf. The day was also the 43rd birthday anniversary of Mrs. Powell. So, Mrs. W.D. Otis thought to give Mrs. Powell a surprise. The meeting place of the class was changed to the home of Mrs. Powell and all the members gathered there in the forenoon while Mrs. Powell happened to be away for a short time. There were 29 adults and nine children present. The usual covered dish luncheon was placed on the table and when Mrs. Powell came in she was greeted by the members of her Sunday School class and several invited guests. There were two birthday cakes, one made by Mrs. Webster Thomas and the other made by Mrs. Marion Irelan, both beautifully decorated. Mrs. Powell was presented with a silver berry spoon with the words “Class ‘35” engraved thereon. The event was a golden link in the chain of friendships between Mrs. Powell and her Sunday School class members.
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Miss Amy Taylor entertained four tables at pinocle last Friday night. high honors went to Merle Miller and Isla Walters received low score. Lunch of cake, coffee, and orange ice was served.
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The Auxiliary Benefit Bridge party Tuesday evening was rather short on attendance on account of so many other social functions and inclement weather, but those who attended spent a very pleasant evening. Mrs. Lois Lawritson won ladies high score and Harry Kelley men’s high score in bridge while Mrs. Harry Gehner won ladies high and N.R. Walters men’s high in pinocle. Lunch of pie and coffee was served. The proceeds of the evening will be given to aid needy Auxiliary families in this community.
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The high school normal training club was hostess to their mothers or a lady friend at a five o’clock tea which was served in the high school auditorium Friday. The north portion of the room was decorated in Japanese style for the occasion. A couple of songs by a quartette composed of Ilene Faubion, Marjory Sheldon, Leota Terrell and Ruth Duckworth with Miss Verna Lawritson at the piano were pleasantly rendered. Leota Terrell read a paper on the work of the club. Lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, wafers, tea, and mints was served by three of the girls. Miss Ida Mackey, norma training instructor, directed the girls with the arrangements and the serving.
News of 1945
The Trenton Register
80 Years Ago
News Briefs
from Here and There
Mr. and Mrs. Alton Jeffus and children returned to Stratton last week from San Fransisco, California, Alton having received an honorable discharge from the Navy, being over the age limit. He will resume his job as rural mail carrier on Route 1 out of Stratton
Well Attended
The Firemen’s Dance, held Wednesay evening at the Town Hall, drew a large attendance and everyone reports having a good time. The affair was sponsored by the local fire department and the net proceeds will be used for the purchase of equipment. Report on the receipts is not yet available.
Weather of the Week
The weatherman apparently has been rather undecided this week about his plans for Southwest Nebraska. All signs have pointed to a weather change – possibly snow, but so far cloudy weather and chilling temperatures are all that have materialized. – At noon Thursday, it has begun to mist heavily.
City Truck “Borrowed” Found Near McCook
The City’s pick-up truck was “borrowed” late Sunday night from its usual parking place at the rear of the light plant, and was located a few hours later by Sheriff A.L. Porter and Marshal F.F. Williams on the highway a few miles west of McCook, where it had run out of gas. The radiator of the pick-up had been drained, as usual, by plant employees, hence the motor was ruined by being driven that far without water. There are no definite clues as to the identity of the “borrowers.”
Marshal Williams has requested The Register to warn all local car owners that they should remove the keys from their ignition when leaving their cars parked, especially after night. It may help to avoid further such happenings as is reported above.
Good Turn-Outat Fire “School”
Twenty-one members of the local Volunteer Fire Department were on hand for the first session of “Fire School” Monday evening, in charge of Cecil Hines of North Platte. The fire laddies were given some valuable pointers in the handling of fire hose, and spent considerable time in practicing simplified, efficient methods of rolling a length of hose.
The school will continue each Monday evening for the next four weeks.
News of 1955
The Trenton Register
70 Years Ago
New Math Teacher
Don Fullerton of Cody is the new addition to the Trenton Schools faculty, having taken over his duties as math instructor Monday morning. Mr. Fullerton graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College at Chadron at the end of the first semester and moved to Trenton this weekend.
Mr. Fullerton is married and has one son, five month old David. He received his elementary and high school education in Cody and graduated there in 1951.
Efforts were made this fall to contract a math teacher for the high school but the vacancy could not be filled. Math chores in the school have been handled throughout the first semester by Superintendent Dallam. This new appointment will enable Mr. Dallam to have much needed time for administration of his duties as Superintendent.
Mr. and Mrs. Fullerton and son are living in the basement apartment in the “Boots” Clark residence. We welcome the Fullertons to Trenton.
Max Woman Injured in Accident
Mrs. Fred Ulferts of Max, is a patient in the Stratton hospital suffering from injuries incurred when the pick-up truck in which she was riding left the icy highway early Tuesday morning. The pick-up left the road on Highway 34 west of Trenton near the George Marshall place and went over the embankment.
When the accident was discovered she was immediately rushed to the Stratton Hospital where she was reported to be suffering severe internal injuries and exposure from the cold. A call to the Stratton Hospital Wednesday reported that she is getting along nicely.
Brings More Moisture
Throughout the day Monday the residents of Southwest Nebraska and in fact throughout the central plains area, were treated to another drouth relieving five inch snow. The snow continued from about nine o’clock Monday morning until after midnight and was a level lying snow with very little wind accompanying the storm.
Although no estimate was made in Trenton of the moisture, radio reports from Colby, Kansas gave 5.5 inches of snow with a measurement of 0.5 inches of moisture. The snow came first in the form of a hard, light sleet and had the wind blown, we would have been treated to a terrific blizzard. Toward the middle of the afternoon the flakes turned to the regular snowflakes and at that time the most fall was in evidence.
Although roads were covered with snow there were no drift hazards on Monday. The principal highways were covered with a sheet of ice and snow crews have been working constantly to get the ice off the bridge approaches. In Trenton, the streets have been treacherous and the use of tire chains on autos is a common sight.
Only one serious injury has been reported on the highways around Trenton. Mrs. Fred Ulferts of Max is a patient in the Stratton Hospital since Tuesday morning when the pick up in which she was riding left the highway near the George marshall place about seven miles west of Trenton on Highway 34.
On Wednesday afternoon increasing winds caused some drifting in the area and farm roads which had not drifted before were beginning to drift toward the evening. There were no reports of impassable roads.
Another traffic hazard presented was the presence of fog in the area Wednesday morning accompanied by a heavy frost which caused snow flurries throughout Wednesday.
Since winter has started it certainly has made up for the late fall with temperatures ranging from below zero to about ten above at nights and rising only to the 20s in the day time. Everyone is grateful for the snow, and so far only the minimum amount of griping has been heard for the inconvenience caused by the piled snow and slick highways.
While the Cat’s Here
Although we doubt if the utility men would agree with us – we thought that the results of the fog and frost on the trees, shrubs, and everything standing was a picture of rare beauty. All telephone lines and electric lines were heavily covered but there were no broken lines reported in Trenton.
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Hank Morthole apparently was trying to really get the job done in snow removal on Trenton streets Tuesday. The results which we didn’t ask him to explain, was a sheared off utility pole at the intersection where the town hall is located. Workmen speedily replaced the pole which never fell to the ground.
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Ice Skating has become a reinvented sport in the Trenton area. This not only goes for the kids but the for the grown-ups too. The bay areas of the Swanson Lake has this year provided good ice for skating although the most recent snow has left the finish a little rough.
News of 1965
The Trenton Register
60 Years Ago
Wins District DAR Essay Contest
Eunice Nealeigh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nealeigh and a Senior in Trenton High School was the district winner in the DAR contest held in McCook on Saturday, January 16. Seven girls from the area gathered at the courthouse in McCook and were asked to write on the question: Our founding fathers set forth basic American ideals. Do you feel that our country today can reflect these ideals and if so how?
After winning the district, Eunice was asked to write a second essay on: How does our belief in God affect us in our voting and participation in government? This essay will be entered in the state competition. The winner of the state competition will receive a $100 bond. The district award medal will be presented at the high school honors convocation in the spring.
Attend Inauguration
Mr. and Mrs. Pat Roach of Trenton were among the Democrats from Nebraska who attended the inauguration of President Johnson in Washington, D.C., Wednesday.
Mary is a state Democratic Central Committeewoman.
The Roaches left from McCook by plane Sunday and plan to return home Friday.
News of 1995
The Hitchcock County News
30 Years Ago
Obtains Registered Land Surveyor’s License
Charles E Wright, Consulting Engineers, Inc., of McCook announce that Gerhard “Gary” H. Dicenta has obtained his registered land surveyor’s license for Nebraska. Dicenta is a native of Trenton, and Trenton High School graduate. He attended Northwest Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in Goodland, Kansas. He received a two year diploma in technical drafting. He also attended Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas and earned as Associate of Arts Degree.
To obtain a registered land surveyor’s license in Nebraska, an individual must perform eight years in surveying under the direct supervision of a licensed surveyor. The individual must then pass a two-part, 16 hour test on surveying and Nebraska surveying requirements.
Dicenta has served the Southwest Nebraska area for more than 17 years in association with Charles E. Wright, Consulting Engineers, Inc. The firm was acquired by Miller and Associates, Consulting Engineers, P.C. of Kearney in 1986.
Dicenta acquired his surveying experience under the supervision of Charles E. Wright, registered land surveyor. His work includes land surveying, bridge inspection, highway engineering, drafting, and computer aided drafting. He is a certified bridge inspector, a county road superintendent and a city street superintendent.
Dicenta and his wife, Cindy, have three children and reside in McCook.
Appointed to Board of County Commissioners
Burdette Golding is the newest member of the Board of County Commissioners. Golding was sworn into office January 10 by Clerk Magistrate Hilda Hampton as Commissioner from the Third District. Golding has been appointed to fulfill the remaining two years of the late John Mohr’s three year term. The appointment was made by a committee consisting of County Clerk Margaret Pollmann, County Treasurer Betty Horinek, and County Attorney Eugene Garner.
Volunteers Help with Work Day at New Building
A work day was scheduled at the new Medical Community Building in Trenton on Saturday, January 7 so a final cleaning could be done before the targeted opening date of February 1, 1995. The committee appreciates all who helped put the finishing touches on the building.
Everyone is welcome to stop in and see the new facility.
Rainbow Volunteers Receive Extra Pat on Back
Rainbow volunteers from El Dorado Manor: Leila Fris, Anne Hite, Marion Woodman, Frances Heble, Marion Drain, Daisy Trask, and Katherine Adams received an extra pat on the back! The ladies volunteered 225 hours last year! Each week found all or some of them crocheting, visiting, or playing cards with the residents. Besides the resident time that they spent; they donated items for the Pie and Ice Cream Social and bake sales, worked both of these functions (collecting money, cutting pies, and serving people), and they decorate the trees at Christmas time.
El Dorado appreciates everyone who donates their time in making our residents lives a little brighter, but we wanted to give an “extra” pat on the back to the ladies.
Named El Dorado Manor’s Employee of the Year
At the annual Christmas party Robin Cook was awarded the honor of “Employee of the Year.” Robin has been employed at El Dorado since March of 1984. She first started as a nurse aide and took her C.S.M (being able to pass medicines) in 1986. In January of 1992 she entered nursing school to become an L.P.N. and upon graduation, in August of 1993, was back at El Dorado Manor. Her willingness to help and her dependability are two of the reasons that she was chosen for this honor.
Robin lives in Trenton with her two daughters, Lacy age nine, and Laken age six.
Congratulations Robin! Keep up the good work.