HOMETOWN HISTORY – HITCHCOCK COUNTY – WEEK OF OCTOBER 30, 2025
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News of 1905
The Trenton Register
120 Years Ago
Trenton News Notes
Born to Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Linneman, October 19th, a fine fourteen pound baby boy and we are glad to say that all are doing well. Dr. O.B. Hugg was the attending physician.
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Mrs. Wm. Johnson commenced work on her new residence just south of the Taylor property in the west part of town, the first of the week. Her sons, Frank and Woodruff, are doing the work.
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N.T. Hall has purchased the fine bay driving horse of J.R. Boyer and we understand the consideration was one hundred dollars.
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Married, in the Catholic Church in this village, at high noon, Wednesday, October 25th, 1905, Martin Bergan and Miss Bridget Curran, Father Malally officiating, in the presence of relatives and a few invited friends of the contracting parties. These are two of Freedom precinct’s most popular and highly respected young people and we join with their host of friends in wishing them nothing but joy and happiness.
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T.S. Dalrymple is painting a drop curtain for the Davies Hall and when the work is completed it will be a work of art and one that any town or painter can well feel proud of.
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Work on the Boyd and French new lumber yard is progressing nicely and ere many weeks they will be doing business with the public.
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J.W. Ball and wife have moved into the rooms in the rear of Mrs. J.R. Boyer’s store building on the west side of Commercial Street.
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Some of the W.C.T.U. ladies took exception to our article of a couple of weeks ago in which we said that some of the boys in this village hardly in their teens were booze fighting on a Sunday and that the W.C.T.U. ought to do some effective work. We did not intend it in the light in which it was taken and hereby apologize to the members of that noble organization for any seeming wrong we may have done them.
Stratton Local News
Dr. W.E. Stewart began moving into his new home the first of the week. His new residence is up-to-date in every respect and we believe the doctor and family know how to enjoy its conveniences.
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Dr. W.E. Stewart reports the arrival of a fine baby boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil West, of Eden precinct, Wednesday, October 25th.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Besack, Thursday, October, 19th, a fine baby girl. This is their first born and the happy parents are justly proud of their baby. Dr. W.E. Stewart was the attending physician.
News of 1935
The Republican Leader
90 Years Ago
Stratton Going on a Spending Spree
The Village of Stratton either has some money to spend or has a strong desire to spend some they haven’t. At a special election last week, the proposition authorizing the purchase by the Village of Veterans Memorial Hall carried by a vote of 159 to 34. At the same time, Stratton citizens voiced their approval for the construction of a municipal swimming pool by a vote of 126 to 67. A total of 196 votes were cast. The sum to be invested in the Veterans Memorial Hall is $5,500 and the Village will also assume a mortgage of $6,000, now against the property. Another financial venture, Stratton is planning is an addition to the town’s school building. The present building, they say, is far too small to accomodate the school population. This proposition will also be submitted to the voters in a short time.
A Cold Wave
After a fall of unusually warm, balmy weather, a moderate cold wave hit this section Tuesday night and a very light fall of snow was noticeable during the early forenoon Wednesday. The cold increased Wednesday night and the mercury fell to 20 above zero by Thursday morning, the coldest of the season. A light rain, turning to snow and sleet fell for a short period Thursday night and left some slippery walks for pedestrians to travel on Thursday morning.
Teachers Are Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Marcellus
The Trenton school teachers were entertained Wednesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Marcellus. The guests came costumed and masked. Among the personages represented were George Washington, The Gold Dust Twins, a ghost, a devil, gypsies, old fashioned girls, clown, peasant girls, Russian dancer, and a witch. After all the guests had arrived, each one was required to do a stunt that explained the character they represented and then they were allowed to unmask. The diversion of the evening was Silly Symphony bridge. Miss Verna Lawritson won high score prize and Miss Dorothy Eller won the consolation prize. The prize for the best costume went to Mervin Wertz, who represented the devil. A delicious Hallowe’en lunch was served . Room decorations and favors were symbolic of Hallowe’en and represented the handiwork of the hostess.
Will Head Historical Group
Arthur Carmody of Trenton is the newly elected president of the Southwestern Nebraska Historical Society. The society’s annual meeting was held in McCook last Friday in connection with the Republican Valley Reconstruction Jubilee. The principal speaker on the program was Addison E. Sheldon, secretary of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Mr. Carmody will make an excellent president for the Southwest Historical group. He is intensely interested in history of all kinds and especially interested in the history of his own community and southwest Nebraska. Mr. Carmody has accumulated quite a museum of his own and never loses an opportunity to add to his already interesting collection of pictures, relics, and books of history.
News of 1945
The Republican Leader
80 Years Ago
Served on Fighting Aircraft Carrier
On the USS CABOT – Kermit Melvin Huff, aviation ordnanceman, first class, Trenton, served on this aircraft carrier which took a leading part in the battles that led to the defeat of Japan. The CABOT saw action in the Marshalls, at Truk, the Palaus, New Guinea, in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Battle for Leyte Gulf, at Guam, Luzon, Lingayen Gulf, and Indo-China, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and raids on Tokyo and other Japanese homeland cities. The late Ernie Pyle was aboard during a Tokyo raid and the Iwo invasion and described the life of the crew in his columns.
New Grader at Work
The Village Board has recently purchased a reconditioned grader for use on Trenton streets, and Charley Hutchinson has been giving the new machine its first “work-outs” this week. It looks big enough and powerful enough to handle the much needed street maintenance work, and it is expected that all of the streets in town will be given attention ere winter sets in. The town’s old grader outfit has been purchased by the Chipman Motor Co.
News of 1955
The Republican Leader
70 Years Ago
Bergan’s Celebrate Fifty Years Wed
On a beautiful autumn day, October 25, 1905, Marin Bergan and Bridget Curran were married in St. James Catholic Church in Trenton by Rev. Edward J. Mullaly, C.S.P. of Chicago, Illinois in the presence of their relatives and friends. They made their home on the groom’s farm eight miles southwest of Stratton and with the exception of a few months spent in Lincoln in 1913, that was their home until May, 1918. They sold the farm and bought another adjoining her father’s homestead 14 miles Southwest of Trenton. They lived there until January, 1950 when they moved to Trenton. Their children are Edna and Anna Bergan of Trenton, Daniel C. Bergan of Omaha, Mrs. Ellen Janousek of Trenton, and Mrs. Rose Bichler of Denver and an infant daughter, Regina Delores who died a few hours after birth, December 29, 1922. They also have eleven grandchildren. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Vencle Janousek. On Sunday, October 23rd, they celebrated their Golden Wedding by attending 8:00 o’clock Mass in St. James Church. There they renewed their wedding vows and received a blessing. After Mass, a breakfast was served by the Ladies Altar Society in the church dining hall to the couple and a few relatives and friends. All of their family were present except their son, Daniel, of Omaha. In the afternoon from 2 until 5 o’clock an Open House was held for the many friends who came to congratulate them.
News of 1965
The Hitchcock County News
60 Years Ago
Stratton Homecoming Rated Very Successful
The annual Homecoming activities and Halloween Parade held at Stratton last Friday were judged successful by all who took part or who witnessed the events. The days activities got underway at 1:30 when elementary students were judged for the Halloween costume competition. The Halloween Parade and Costume competition is sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary and this organization provided the prizes for the winners and treats for all of the children who took part in the parade. Following the judging of the costumes, the parade was formed with all the students in Halloween costumes joining with the high school and junior high for the combined parade which was led by a color guard and the Stratton High School band. The Pep Club led the float entries in the parade. The floats this year were very good and kept with the central theme of the Homecoming, “Movies.” The titles were: Senior Class, “The Majic Fountain”; Junior Class, “Help”; Sophomore class, “Don’t Give Up the Ship”; Freshman class, “The Greatest Story Ever Told”; and Junior High, “Around the World.” The floats were judged before the parade by a committee from out of town. The Senior class won first, the Junior High second, and the Junior class, third. Homecoming Royalty as they rode in the Parade at Stratton Friday afternoon were Frankie Stehno, Kay Owens, Gloria Donze and Bill Brennan. Gloria Donze was crowned Queen and Bill Brennan was crowned King at the dance. During the evening, the highlight of the activities occurred when the Stratton Bulldogs soundly defeated the visiting team by a score of 57 to 13. This was the first Bulldog victory this season.
Winners of Halloween Costume Competition at Stratton
The following are the winners of the Halloween Costume Competition, with the First , Second, and Third place winners being in the order as given for each grade: Preschool – Mark Latta, Martin Miller, and Kimberly Stumpff. Kindergarten – Diana Petsch, Kent Craw and Steve Williamson. First Grade – Carey Cushing, Bruce Faimon, Bobbi Finch. Second Grade – Kathy League, Kim Petsch, Lori Craw. Third Grade – Todd Latta, Carrol Kadlecek, Loren Cushing. Fourth Grade – Lori Cobb, Kristi Stumpff, Jake Brennan. Fifth Grade – Marian Faimon, Cleta Grant, Kenneth Marin. Sixth Grade – Lea Riggs, Becky Diehl, (3rd) Scott Golding and Lynn Latta.
It’s a Boy
A son, Terry Lynn, was born October 21, 1965 to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bley, Palisade, weighing seven pounds two ounces. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bley, Wauneta.
News of 1995
The Hitchcock County News
30 Years Ago
Playground Equipment Erected
Palisade elementary children are enjoying their new playground equipment – thanks to a joint effort between concerned parents, SWPPD, Village of Palisade and the School. The 24-feet by 20-feet heavy duty structure includes a tornado slide, tube slide, horizontal loop ladder and a tic-tac-toe board. The equipment has add-on capabilities as well as freestanding accessories for future expansion. Work on the playground site began October 9. Volunteers dug out and leveled a 36-feet by 34-feet area in which the equipment was to be constructed. The area was then filled with nine inches of sand and a top coat of gravel which will then neet government regulations. Funds for this project came from the school’s budget plus several fund-raisers which were held by parents for the specific purpose of purchasing this new equipment. Penny jars, sloppy joe feeds and donations from community organizations raised enough money for completion of the project. Both the Wauneta and Palisade playground facilities have identical equipment. Spearheading the Palisade project were Lana Jo Licht and Nancy Ward. All of the work has been accomplished through volunteer labor under the supervision of Wauneta/Palisade School’s maintenance man Ellis Mittan. Volunteers have also been completing repairs to other playground equipment in order to make the playground a safer place for youngsters to relax between classes. Lunch for the volunteers during a recent work detail was provided by the Palisade Boosters. Heavy equipment necessary for digging holes, removing dirt and hauling sand has been graciously supplied by Southwest Public Power District and the Village of Palisade.
Trenton B&PW Club Honors Area Women
The Trenton Business and Professional Women would like to honor some of their members, as well as other women in the community. They have chosen Ellen Horvath, Arletta Heinz, and Devonnabelle Reynolds for their first honorees. Ellen Horvath is a charter member of the Trenton B&PW which was organized and federated in 1936. She stated thay had many money making projects from the very beginning. She always transferred her membership when living other places during her teaching career. By doing this, she made many new acquaintances, including the National B&PW president, while living in Alaska. Although she was not a charter member, Arletta Heinz joined the Trenton B&PW in 1936, when she was teaching. She rejoined in the 1970s while operating a clothing store in Trenton. She has been an active member since rejoining. Devonnabelle Reynolds has been a continuos member of Trenton B&PW since 1942. She held the office of Hitchcock County Clerk Register of Deeds, and the Clerk of the District Court for 33 years as well as other county offices. All three ladies have held offices on the local level. Devonnabelle has been chairman of two committees on the state level. They all agree that the Trenton Business and Professional Women’s Club is still alive and well in Trenton and new members are always welcome.
Wins First Place in Doll Competition
Vera Hardy of Stratton attended the 15th Annual Rocky Mountain Doll Fantasy Show and Sale in Denver. Vera entered one of her dolls in the Doll Competition at the professional level, and won a first place ribbon. Vera was also awarded with a third place rosette, the Exhibitor award 116 exhibitors competed for. The show was held at the Denver Merchandise Mar Expo Hall.