HITCHCOCK COUNTY – HOMETOWN HISTORY – WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5, 2026
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News of 1926
The Trenton Register
100 Years Ago
Trenton Local News
Geo. Scheierman has completed the excavation and begun laying the foundation for his new residence property in the east part of town. *** An infant daughter was born to Claude Clark and wife, February 7th. But the little one lived only a few hours. Brief services were held at the home Monday and burial was in the Trenton Cemetery.
***
Mrs. W.W. Barritt went to Wray, Colorado, Thursday morning to assist in caring for the twin daughters, who arrived at the home of her son, Lloyd and wife Sunday, February 7th. Mother and babies are doing nicely.
***
Clark Hay and wife are the parents of a 9.5 pound son born Tuesday, February 9th, at the Stewart Hospital in Stratton.
***
We were mistaken last week in reporting that Lawrence Alt had been operated upon for appendicitis at the Stewart Hospital. Rather it was his younger brother, Herman, who underwent the operation. The young man is making splendid improvement, is able to be up now and expects to come home in a few days. His parents have called on him regularly since he has been in the hospital.
Real Birthday Surprise
R.C. Sydow was given a genuine surprise Monday evening on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. Mr. Sydow was busily engaged “tuning in” on his radio, when about forty neighbors and friends walked in and informed him that they had come to help him celebrate. An oyster supper was the big feature of the affair. The evening was spent socially and all departed at a late hour; wishing Mr. Sydow many more pleasant birthdays.
Stratton Department
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Thomas was found dead in bed Sunday morning. The cause of death is unknown. B.C. Jones accompanied them to Fairbury where the babe was buried.
***
Homer Davis and Sam Irelan who have been employed by the Village Board at the Power Plant, have resigned their positons to accept better ones at Benkelman. Mr. Davis will have second place at the Power Plant in Benkelman and Mr. Irelan will have the position of State Hi-Way Patrolman.
News of 1946
The Trenton Register
80 Years Ago
News Briefs from Here and There
Last week’s Culbertson Progress reports that the town’s new movie house, to be known as the “Gem Theater” is expected to open the latter part of February. Practically all of the remodeling work has been completed, with the exception of installing the picture screen and the seats.
Queer Combination of Weather Ends with Brief Blizzard
Monday was a balmy, clear day – like early spring. Tuesday morning, local residents awoke to a howling blizzard, one of the worst in recent years. In between-times, the weatherman pulled a few funny tricks – giving us a sample of a quiet spring rain for a brief time late Monday night, accompanied by a generous portion of lightning and thunder. Then came the wind and dust! The wind kept increasing throughout the night, the rain turned to snow, and for several hours Tuesday morning the region was in the grip of a real winter blizzard. By mid-morning, however, the storm had almost blown itself out, the sun broke through the clouds, and except for a cold wind, the remainder of the day was fairly pleasant. The snow ceased before the fall was heavy enough to drift badly, and there were no reports of blocked roads. Moisture benefits was negligible, most fields being blown entirely clear of snow. Wednesday was another clear , quiet, sunshiny day – which just goes to show again that “if you don’t like the weather in Nebraska, just wait a little while.”
Mass Murder Attempted
No, this isn’t an atrocity story – just a report in the prairie dog eradication program carried on the Henry Redden farm northwest of Trenton last Sunday afternoon. Golf enthusiasts of the community, with members of the local By Scout troop cooperating, spread a lot of poison bait in the various prairie dog “towns” in that locality, in the hope that they might clear the golf course site and future airport site of these animals. Some twenty men and boys participated, and it is reported that a thorough job was done in spreading the poison.
Named District Judge
Victor Westermark of Benkelman today was sworn in as district judge to fill the vacancy left by the death of Charles E. Eldred of McCook, who lost his life in an automobile accident a few weeks ago. Gov. Dwight Griswold made the appointment. The present term runs until January 6, 1949. Judge Westermark has been serving as Dundy County Attorney. He has practiced law at Benkelman since his graduation from the University of Nebraska Law College in 1923. For the present, it was indicated Westermark will continue to make his home in Benkelman, traveling from that point to cover his 14th Judicial District comprised of nine counties – Furnas, Gosper, Frontier, Red Willow, Hitchcock, Hayes, Dundy, Chase, and Perkins.
Breeding Fancy Pigeons
It probably will be news to a lot of our readers, just as it was to us, to learn that our genial county clerk, M.A. Gordon, has been developing a hobby that has proven profitable as well as interesting. Mike has been breeding fancy pigeons, “English Trumpeters,” which make nice pets, and he has received orders for these birds from various points in the United States. He shipped out two this week to Minnesota, has sent birds as far east as Erie, Penn and Winston-Salem, N.C. as well as to most of the midwestern states.
New Pastor
Rev. W.H. Clem of Genoa who occupied the pulpit at the local Congregational Church a couple of weeks ago, has accepted a call to the pastorate here, and will arrive in Trenton about March 17th with his wife and one daughter. Another daughter is taking nurse’s training at an Omaha Hospital.
Purchases French Building: Plans Upstairs Apartments
W.D. Otis this week completed negotiations for the purchase of the A.H. French stucco front cement building on Main Street, just two doors north of The Register office. The main floor of the building is now occupied by the Ridgway Produce Station and the rooms on the second floor have been vacant for some time. Bill informs The Register that he plans to remodel the upstairs into modern apartments, and that work will be started as soon as labor and materials are available.
Buys Local Dray Line
Glenn Williamson, recently discharged from the U.S. Navy is now operating the dray line in Trenton, having purchased the same from C.E. Gosnell. This dray line will be known as Williamson’s Transfer. Glenn is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Williamson, westside farmers. The Register joins in welcoming him to the business circles of Trenton.
News of 1956
The Trenton Register
70 Years Ago
Makings-Haar
At 4:40pm, January 31, 1956, Mrs. Mabel Makings became the bride of Mr. Arthur Haar at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, First Church of God parsonage. Officiating the double ring ceremony was Rev. L.D. Beach, Pastor of the Sioux Falls Church of God. The couple were attended by Lt. and Mrs. Marvin C. Makings of Sioux Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Haar are both of Trenton. Mr. Haar is the District Agent for the Central States Health and Accident Insurance Co. and very well-known in this community. Mrs. Haar was employed at the Eller’s Red and White Store until recently. Mr. and Mrs. Haar left Sioux Falls after the wedding ceremony and planned a few days in Chicago and other points of interest.
New Son
John Edward Spirk was born Saturday, February 4, at the St. Catherines Hospital in McCook to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Spirk. He weighed seven pounds five ounces and has an older brother, Jimmy, five, and sister, Mary Jane, seven. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schmitt of Trenton and Mrs. Lillian Spirk of Portland, Oregon, are his grand parents.
Bridal Shower
The Misses Pat Chapman, Sally Rotter and Kathy Seybold entertained 18 guests at a Bridal Shower Thursday evening in the Chapman Home honoring Miss Shirley Franklin. Dressing the bride-to-be in a crepe paper wedding dress furnished part of the evening’s entertainment. Other games were played followed by refreshments. Shirley received many nice gifts.
Culbertson Youth Receives Degree
Degrees were granted to 287 University of Nebraska students at mid-year commencement exercises Saturday morning. Robert J. Eisenach of Culbertson received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
News of 1966
The Hitchcock County News
60 Years Ago
Engagement Announced
Mr. and Mrs. Orlan C. Cole of Trenton announce the engagement of their daughter, Joyce Elaine, to Robert Francis Frakes, son of Mrs. Yukiko Frakes of Lincoln. Miss Cole is a graduate of Trenton High School and is a senior at the University of Nebraska in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics. Mr. Frakes, also a graduate of Trenton High School, is attending the University of Nebraska and is a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa and Mu Epsilon Nu, honorary and professional fraternities. An August wedding is being planned.
News of 1976
The Hitchcock County News
50 Years Ago
Engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schmitt of Fort Collins, CO., formerly of Trenton announce the engagement of their daughter, Jeannine, to Walter A Kuemmerlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Kuemmerlin, Fort Collins. Miss Schmitt is a 1975 graduate of Poudre High School and is employed at Colorado State University. Her fiance is a 1974 graduate of Poudre High School and is employed by Pepsi Cola. A March 6 wedding is being planned.
***
Mr. and Mrs. Neil (Bill) Skinner, Gering, announce the engagement of their daughter, Collette to Greg Suhr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Suhr of Scottsbluff. Miss Skinner graduated from Gering in 1974 and will graduate from Nebraska Western College in May as a Mental Health Technical. Greg graduated from Scottsbluff in 1973 and is assistant manager of Checker Auto Parts. Collette is the granddaughter of Mrs. W.E. Riley, Trenton, and the late W.E. Riley. Wedding plans are indefinite.
Honor Student Named
Monica Jesch, who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Jesch of Stratton and a first year student in the Veterinary Technology program at the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture, was selected as an Honor Student of the first quarter. Selection is based on grades and a personal adjustment rating. Minimum school requirements are a grade average of B or above and a personal adjustment rating of 3.0 overall average on a 4.0 point scale. However some departments exercise their option of setting higher requirements.
Banner Exchange
Don Lydic, Hitchcock COunty Extension Agent, recently presented the Trenton Rotary Club with a number of Rotary banners which he brought back from his trip to Australia last year. Lydic presented the banners to Dean Whaley, president of the Trenton Rotary Club. Don spent several weeks touring Australia on the exchange tour which was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs in the state. He took with him several banners from the Trenton Club which he left over there.
News of 1986
The Hitchcock County News
40 Years Ago
Fire Destroys Home
Fire destroyed a West First Street home in Trenton Monday afternoon. Fire was discovered in the Rick Bradley home and the firemen were called to the scene at 1:53. Firemen battled to blaze which was in the walls until 5:30pm. Fireman Tom Hovey reports as yet the cause of the fire is still under investigation. He said the fire about totaled the building and two-thirds of the family personal belongings were destroyed in the blaze. The Culbertson fire department was called for assistance and six members came with breathing apparatuses to help with fighting the blaze. Responding to the blaze were 11 Trenton firemen. During the event, the Trenton Ambulance stood by in case they might be needed. Chief Hovey said the boys did a good job of fighting and containing the blaze in the home. State Fire Marshal Pat Gould from North Platte was in Curtis at the time and heard the calls for assistance so came over and said the local departments did a good job of containing the blaze. No one was at home at the time the blaze broke out. They had left the home at about 10am. Hovey said the men used a lot of oxygen to get the blaze under control with the total being around 19 bottles.
News of 1996
The Hitchcock County News
30 Years Ago
Wins Don Dernovich print
Carol Pinn of Culbertson was the winner of the Don Dernovich print raffled off this past week by the Culbertson Rescue Squad. The original print entitled “Springtime in the Rockies” was donated by local artist Don Dernovich to help raise funds for the community’s ambulance crew. Receiving no tax dollars, the squad is completely dependent of fund raisers and private donations to provide this essential service. The print was awarded following the drawing on January 29 and the Rescue Squad extends their sincere thanks to both Dernovich for donating his art work and to the people who purchased tickets toward the raffle.
Quiz Bowl Awards
Awards were pretty evenly divided among county schools in the annual Hitchcock County Elementary Quiz Bowl on January 31. Wauneta/Palisade took top honors in the 3rd and 4th grade division while Stratton claimed the prize for the 5th and 6th grades. Trenton came home with the 7th and 8th grade plaque. The Quiz Bowl was hosted by Culbertson School this year with students taking tests in the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Problem Solving, Science and Current Events. The tests were administered by County Superintendent of Schools Connie Barger and were scored by area teachers. The first place team in each age division was awarded a plaque donated by Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Goodenberger. Mary Ellen Goodenberger was on hand to make the presentations.