Hitchcock County Hometown History Week of March 27, 2025
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News of 1905
The Trenton Register
120 Years Ago
Trenton News Notes
The sun showed his beaming face, Sunday, for the first time in eleven days.
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Charley Moore and Wilhelmine Barth, of Culbertson, were married by Judge Williams, Wednesday.
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Quite a novelty in the shape of a mud throwing contest took place on our streets, last Friday afternoon. For full particulars ask Frank Miller and Jack Pember.
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A.T. McCoy boarded No. 13 for Haigler one morning the fore part of the week accompanied by his gun, an untold amount of ammunition and a supply of decoy ducks. he returned in the evening with a goodly number of ducks.
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The vote on the school house bond proposition last Friday brought out 102 voters, 51 for with the same number against and as it required two-thirds to carry, the proposition was lost. Many, however, voted against bonds for the reason that they were not large enough to build the kind of a school building that we need.
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M.H. Yerrick and family who have made this village their home for the past ten or twelve years, bid their friends good-bye, Tuesday evening, and went east on No. 14. They will stop at Hardy, where Mrs. Yerrick’s parents live, where she will probably remain until Harry and Will find a location. During their residence here they have made a host of friends who very much regret to see them leave, but all join in wishing them happiness and prosperity in their new home where ever that may be.
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Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Williams living northwest of town, were treated to a big surprise, Tuesday, when about 30 of their friends and neighbors called at their home about noon with well filled baskets to assist them in celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and a jolly good time was had. Cornell Item It is reported that young grasshoppers were quite numerous a few days ago but there is no danger of them doing any damage as Sam Fleming says he saw a snake which had eaten all of them and was crawling along a wire fence trying to find a place to get through.
Prairie Union
Guy Smith went duck hunting, Thursday. He says he shot quite a number, but they fell in the river and drowned before he could get them.
Stratton Local News
W.G. Emery is erecting a new windmill for Dr. Stewart.
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John O’Donnell and Son are improving the elevator by putting a new roof on the engine room.
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Joseph Hefflinger is remodeling and building an addition to his confectionary building.
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While assisting in unloading a car of machinery, Monday, for W.G. Morten, Ed Evans had the misfortune to have the big toe on his right foot cut almost completely off by a disc drill. Dr. W.E. Stewart was summoned and says it is hard to say at this time whether the toe can be saved or not. Ed will be laid up for some time.
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F.H. Smith moved his restaurant and confectionary into the old Bailey building, Tuesday.
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J.L. Brouse received the contract for the erection of the new post office building and the same will be pushed rapidly to completion.
News of 1935
The Republican Leader
90 Years Ago
Juniors Sponsor Program
The Junior class of the Trenton High School sponsored a very creditable program last Thursday night. The program was given by the Trenton Womans Club, the U.S. Club, the Epworth League, and the Christian Endeavor societies. Each organization put on a separate program. There was also a box supper in connection, each person who brought a box being allowed to vote on the winning program. Twenty-four boxes were sold, $1.00 being the highest price paid for any box. The program given by the Trenton Womans Club was voted the winner of the first prize, $10.00 in cash, for their exhibit, “The Pageant of the Months.” The U.S. Club won the second prize, $5 in cash, presenting “The Family Album.” This club returned their prize money to the junior class, since they are a social organization only, and have no need of money. Pie, ice cream, cake, and coffee were served by the Juniors and the entire program netted the class about $30 which will be used to defray the expenses of the Junior-Senior banquet.
M.E. Choir Gives Pleasing Program
The Methodist choir held a cake contest and gave a program in the church last Friday night. The ladies brought cakes which were judged as to quality of texture, taste, and decoration and then were sold to the highest bidder. Lunch of home made ice cream, cake, and coffee was served. The program was made up of musical numbers and a group of children depicted the months of the year with very pleasing short skits, the children being dressed in costumes corresponding to their parts. The first prize for the best decorated cake, $2.00 in cash, went to Mrs. Webster Thomas, who turned the prize money back into the choir treasury. Second and third prizes, each $1.00 in cash, went to Mrs. H.C. Marcellus and Mrs. Culver. In the butter cake division, texture and taste considered, Miss Rokie Potter won first prize with a dark cake. The prize was a pair of silk hose given by the Trenton Style Shoppe. Mrs. Clyde Yordy won second with a white cake, her prize being a pair of hand embroidered pillow slips donated by the M.V. Groose Dept. Store. In the sponge cake division, texture and taste considered, Mrs. Naomi Major won first prize which was a white purse donated by Ireland’s Cash Store. Second prize went to Helen Danner, the prize being a gallon can of peaches donated by Allen and Carr. Mrs. Earnest Roose won third prize, a hand painted plate donated by Otis Hardware Co. The judges were Mesdames Louis Stolte and Wesley Antes of Stratton and Miss Margaret Bickley of Trenton. The cakes were numbered and judged by numbers rather than by the names of those who made them. The proceeds of the program will be used to defray choir expenses.
To Graduate from C.A.S.
Ralph Underhill is a member of the senior class of the Curtis Agricultural School and will receive his diploma at the Commencement Exercises which will be held Wednesday, April 24. Ralph is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Underhill of the Cornell Community. He received his common school education in the Cornell school up to the eleventh grade. He then completed his high school work and two years of college at the Curtis school. This year’s class at the Curtis school has the largest enrollment, 44, of any class but one since the beginning of the school. Family Reunion The Oscar Youngquist home was the scene of a family reunion last Sunday, being the first time that all their children and their families were all home together for fifteen years. It was also a farewell for Chester and Everette and their families, who are leaving in the near future. Pictures were taken in the afternoon and a lovely supper was served to all in the evening.
News of 1945
The Republican Leader
80 Years Ago
Local Boy Scouts Receive Troop Charter
Trenton Boy Scout Troop No. 205 received their charter from the Boy Scouts of America at an impressive candle lighting ceremony held in the high school auditorium last Thursday evening. The ceremony was conducted by Palisade Troop No. 208 and their Scoutmaster, Archie Taplin. Following this ceremony, the first Court of Honor for the Trenton troop was held, with all sixteen members being up for advancement to the rank of second class Scouts. D.D. Penner, member of the Scout committee, presented the second class badges to the Scouts after making a short talk on “A Scout’s Responsibility to his Community.” R. Hervey Porter of McCook, vice president of the Cornhusker Council, gave a very fine talk to the Scouts of both troops and to the adults present, leaving many worth-while thoughts with his listeners on Scouting and Freedom. The sixteen members of the Trenton troop are: Don Casper, Clyde Penner, Kenneth Atwood, Ray Madsen, Wayne Madsen, Jim Chapman, Tom Chapman, Vincent Thompson, Bob Schmitt, Fred Schmitt, Don DeWald, Keith Ryker, Wayne Porter, Jim Abbuhl, Harold DeGarmo and Delbert Thomas. Lawrence Cunningham is Scoutmaster and Everett Lewis, assistant scoutmaster. Norris Enders of the Scout Committee acted as master of ceremonies for the Thursday evening program. Other members of the troop committee are Raymond Richards, Dr. J.E. Prest, Weiford DeWald, D.D. Premer, Don Thompson, and A.L. Porter.
Weather Report
The weatherman has sorta been “stalling around” on this Spring business the past week. Part of the time is has been mild and sunshiny, at other times chilling winds and a bit of dust has been on the bill of fare – but no moisture. Did manage a few sprinkles a couple of times, but we are waiting hopefully for something more definite and complete in the way of a good “soaker.”
News of 1955
The Trenton Register
70 Years Ago
Recreation Work Continuing
The recreation committee of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce are keeping up the work project under way, and are continuing to build at the Spring Creek location at the lake. Last week the ramp in the Canyon was finished and Tuesday of this week, workmen gathered at Quick Implement for the purpose of building boat docks. Four of these two-place docks were built in the process. The costs of building four small docks choosing the small ones rather than building one large dock at the lake site. Some of th Seniors working in downtown Trenton this week at various business places put in a good many good licks on these docks and the four docks could not have been finished so quick without their help. The completed structures are 14 feet long and covered with a wooden walkway the same width as a barrel. There are three barrels on each one and they are held together with iron rods. They have been emplaced in the bay area and securely fastened to the bank by steel cables. Eight boats can be handled with the use of these four additions to the recreation area. On Tuesday of this week, the ramp, built last Wednesday, was smoothed down and the steel airplane stripping was fastened together and placed on the water edge of the ramp. This steel matting was furnished by Bill Horton of Atwood. Picnic tables will be put in the area as soon as they are finished and with the fireplaces furnished by the Bureau of Reclamation, the south side area is beginning to shape up into a good spot. Ice on the lake has prevented any of these new facilities from being used, but you can rest assured that if the warm weather continues, there will be plenty of boat enthusiasts lending traffic to the new improvements.
News of 1965
The Trenton Register
60 Years Ago
County Spelling Contest
Loretta Borchert of the Stratton school won the county spelling championship and is eligible to represent Hitchcock County at the Midwest Bee sponsored by the Omaha World Herald. Michael Zapp, of rural district 55, won second place and is alternate to the Midwest Bee. These two winners will receive cash awards and inscribed pens from the Papermate company. One hundred twenty elementary pupils, representing all the schools in the county competed in a written spelling contest Saturday, March 13, at the Trenton grade school building. Each grade had a separate contest administered by a committee of at least three teachers. Certificates were awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each grade. First place winners, declared champions, were also awarded gold pins. Winners were: Grade One: First Duane Madsen, Trenton; Second Rick Brown, Trenton; Third Olivia Mabeus, Stratton. Grade Two: First Dennis Potthoff, Palisade; Second Patricia Zapp, District 55; Third Brian Sitzman, Culbertson. Grade Three: First Jana Lee Dailey, Stratton; Second Becky Bauer, District 48; Third Linda Grigging, Culbertson. Grade Four: First Janeen Maris, District 54; Second Roxanne Wicke, Trenton; Third Anne Frederick, Trenton. Grade Five: First Dirk Shoemaker, Palisade; Second Sally Hendrix, Trenton; Third Cheryl Ohlson, Stratton. Grade Six: First Larry Busking, Palisade; Second Connie Kotchwar, Culbertson; Third Bruce Grosse, Stratton. Grades Seven and Eight: First Loretta Borchert, Stratton; Second Michael Zapp District 55.
Engagement Announced
Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Phares announce the engagement of their daughter, Judy LaRue to Gary Deen Malone, son of Mr. Gale Malone of Palisade and Mrs. Lucille Malone of Yakima, Wash. Miss Phares is a sophomore and her fiance is a junior at Kearney State College. No definite wedding date has been set.
Sees Son on T.V.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross Hawkins were surprised and happy to see their son Dwayne “Duke” on television Tuesday morning on the launch site at Cape Kennedy. The Hawkins’ had watched the launching of the two-man orbital flight and had turned their T.V. off for a breather, they had just turned it on again when they saw Duke shaking hands with vice-president Humphrey. Dwayne is a civil service employee working with communications in connections with the rockets.
News of 1995
The Hitchcock County News
30 Years Ago
Storm Causes Outages
A good old “dolly-ma-whooper” of a Nebraska Spring blizzard wreaked havoc for Southwest Public Power District throughout Saturday night and Sunday. It ultimately took out seven of their sub-stations in the southwestern Nebraska area. The storm began Saturday as a really nice rain falling with fairly warm temperatures, in the 50s. Before it was over, six southwest Nebraska towns in Chase, Hayes, Dundy and Hitchcock Counties suffered loss of their electricity. Included were Enders, Haigler, Hamlet, Max, Parks, and Wauneta. Frank Potthoff, a spokesman for SWPPD, headquartered in Palisade related “The first outage was reported at 3:15 a.m. Sunday when they lost a transmission line. SWPPD crews, “working over 19 hours Sunday, hampered by drifts and blinding snow, managed to get some of the towns back on line late Sunday. All were back on by at least between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Monday according to Potthoff. Crews constantly battled howling 25 mile per hour winds which gusted up to over 70 mph creating enormous drifts in which the vehicles would often become stuck. “District customers in Enders were out of power off-an-on all day Sunday” according to the report from SWPPD General Manager Gary Britten. “Haigler and Parks were restored around 5:15 p.m. Sunday. Hamlet and Wauneta were out of power until around 6:00 p.m. Sunday. And crews weren’t able to get Max back up until between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Monday,” Britten said. SWPPD sub-stations were knocked out at locations they classify as “Chase, north of Wauneta – Wauneta, east of Wauneta – Enders, north of Enders – Center, Pfulm, Haigler, and Buffalo, all located in Dundy County.” Potthoff reported “the district lost some 25 to 30 poles as near as they could assess by Monday afternoon when this interview transpired. In addition “there were numerous wire burn-offs and broken cross-arms” Potthoff related. “County road crews and area farmers were especially cooperative and helpful in getting the guys through” said Potthoff. “Atrocious conditions existed, to say the least.” Some wind-whipped drifts were reported as high as six and seven feet from the onslaught of 70 mile per hour wind gusts.
First Girl Born to Wertz Family Tree in 95 Years
Kelsi Jayne Wertz was born on March 2, 1995 to Kelly and Rhonda (Roni) Wertz of Kearney. She was greeted by her big brother, Keelan John. She weighed six pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Kelsi is the first girl born to her great-grandfather’s, the later Mainard Wertz of Trenton, family tree branch. Mainard had five brothers and one sister Helen, born December 31, 1900. The family was greatly pleased and surprised to have a girl join the nine males born to Mainard’s legacy. Kelsi’s grandparents are Wendell and Verna Wertz of Trenton and Jon and Carlene Deming of Pratt, Kansas. Great grandparents include Dorothy and the late Harold Moss of Trenton; August and the late Carl Dovel of Hutchinson, Kansas; the late Daphne and Lavern Deming of Hutchinson, Kansas and the late Alice and Mainard Wertz of Trenton.