HITCHCOCK COUNTY – HOMETOWN HISTORY – WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2026
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News of 1926
The Trenton Register
100 Years Ago
Succumbs to Burns
Mrs. William Boyle passed away at her home southwest of Trenton early Tuesday morning, after a number of weeks of intense suffering from burns received when she attempted to fill an incubator lamp. The best of medical care and the service of two nurses was given her but to no avail. The sorrowing young husband and other relatives can only be comforted in the thought that she has reached that beautiful land where pain and care are no more. Her husband, a little son eight months old, her parents, other relatives and many freinds are left to grieve because of the passing of this young wife and mother. The sympathy of the community is with these bereaved ones in their deep sorrow. Funeral services were conducted From St. James Catholic Church this Thursday morning. Rev. Father Unger was in charge. Interment was in the Catholic Cemetery. It was one of the largest funerals ever held from this church. Many relatives and friends from out of town were in attendance and there was also a large number present from Kansas.
Chautauqua Week Brings Enjoyment
Our Chautauqua closes this Thursday evening with a grand musical concert by Ferguson’s Operatic Singers. The entertainment of the week have been up to the usual high standards of the Chautauqua program and judging from the fine attendance, our people seem highly appreciative of the worth of such entertainment to the community. The musical numbers furnished by Zapata’s Novelty Troubadours, Bennett’s Marimba Band and the Mabelle Wagner-Schank Company were greatly enjoyed. The Troubadours and the Marimba Band were especially popular. The feature lecture of the program was delivered by Dr. Raymond B. Tolbert Wednesday evening. Dr. Tolbert is an impressive speaker and his message was timely and interesting. Mr. C.E. Jones is the genial and peppy Superintendent of this year’s Chautauqua. Mr. Jones is thoroughly acquainted with the work and knows how to please Chautauqua patrons. He gives the talent full sway and everything moves smoothly. The Junior work, under the direction of Miss Elsie Pierson, has been made very attractive and the kiddies will be sorry to have the Chautauqua leave.
Trenton Local News
66-100ths inches of rain this week in the Trenton vicinity. Good rains have been reported north and northwest of town. The weather has been delightful.
The new fire siren has been installed and was tested for the first time Saturday morning. It is both shrill and loud and will surely arouse everyone at the time of a fire.
W.S. Britton entertained a party of four young ladies at dinner Thursday. It was a happy occasion for the little girls and a happier one for Mr. Britton, who has always enjoyed giving children a good time. His guests were the Misses Bethel and Mildred Byrd of Stratton, Euvonne Curran and Adair Britton.
Entertain for the Clarks
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Clark were guests of honor at a party at the H.R. Weyl home Friday evening. The party was given by the Social Club of which Mrs. Clark was a member. The event was held on the lawn and the time was enjoyed with games and social conversation. Refreshments were served and the best wishes for happiness and success in the new home at Fort Morgan were extended to the Clarks before the company departed for their respective homes.
News of 1946
The Trenton Register
80 Years Ago
Wed in Jacksonville, Florida
Miss Shirley Smith, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Smith of Trenton, and Ensign Laurel L. Hayward, U.S.N.R., son of Mr. and Mrs. Denzil Hayward of Oberlin, Kansas, were married at the Protestant Chapel at the U.S. Naval Air Station at Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday evening, June 8, 1945, at 8:30p.m. The single ring ceremony was performed by Chaplain Harry A. Porter. Miss Arlene Pennell of Trenton was the Maid of Honor and Ens. Norman J. Wilton Jr. of Baton Rouge, La. was Best Man. The only other attendants were Ens. William D. Frees and Ens. Ray H. Farr. Preceding the ceremony, the organist played “Because” and “Lohengrin’s Wedding March.” The bride chose as her wedding dress a gray and white street length bemberg with white accessories. Her corsage was of gardenias. Miss Pennell wore a watermelon red bemberg dress with white accessories and her corsage was of gardenias. The groom and Best Man wore dress whites. Mrs. Hayward is a graduate of the Trenton High School with the Class of 1941, and since then she has had employment in Trenton, and Oberlin and Norton, Kansas. The past year she has been assisting her mother in the Trenton Style Shoppe. Ensign and Mrs. Hayward will be at home to their friends at Jacksonville.
Former Trenton Man Heads Firm
Merle G. Jones, former resident of the Trenton Community, and son of Mrs. Dault Nordyke of this city, was last week named president and general manager of the Store Kraft Co. of Beatrice, succeeding W.B. Morton, founder of the firm, who after 25 years, asked to be relieved of the active management. The Store Kraft firm, which in peacetime manufacturers store fixtures, is now in its fourth year of war production, which now represents about 85 percent of its total output. President Jones has been vice president and assistant to the president for several years. He has completed 16 years of service with the company.
Hold Reunion Here
Eleven members of the 1942 graduating class of Trenton High enjoyed a reunion Sunday evening, June 10th, with a steak dinner being served at Dillon’s Cafe. The evening was spent recollecting school memories and writing letters to the members of the class who were unable to attend. Eleven of the thirty members of the 1942 class are in active service. Those present for the reunion were: Zola Oleson, Jacqueline Schmitt, Marian Frakes, Loretta (Thomas) Boyd, Cpl. David Keller, Fern (Seybold) Ross, Pauline (Williamson) Ricley, Pfc. Frank Johnson, Pvt. and Mrs. Harold Baker (nee Margaret Taul), Emma Mae Thomas and Irene Cole.
News of 1956
The Trenton Register
70 Years Ago
Garage Burns at Davis Farm
Trenton firemen were called Sunday night about 10:30 to the southwest of Trenton. A single car garage was burned completely to the ground. The garage and contents being a total loss. Mr. and Mrs. Davis no longer live at the farm, but have moved to Stratton, Howard League discovered the fire and immediately called Mr. Davis and the Trenton Fire Department. By the time the fire was noticed the building was almost entirely consumed by flames. The firemen were able to save the other buildings and the farm tractor nearby. Mr. Davis reported that all tools and gasoline and oils necessary to his farming operation were stored in the building. There was no insurance to cover the loss. The cause of the fire was not determined, but Mr. Davis had both been working near the farm then, and it might be presumed that prowlers were at the farm sometime during the evening and had carelessly dropped a match or cigarette near the garage. We hope this was not the case, but people sometimes have a tendency to be careless around vacated property.
Break-In Reported at Culbertson
The Western Brokerage, a retail wholesale outlet, owned by Ralph Ward and Wayne Weaver, of Culbertson was broken into early Wednesday morning. Cash amounting to $250 and an undetermined amount of merchandise was taken. The burglars gained admittance into the building by breaking the window in the door. About $75 in checks was also missing, according to County Sheriff Wayne Hovey. It also appeared that the culprits forced entry into the Crews Lumber Company. One of the shop windows was broken but Mr. Crews reported nothing missing. Western Brokerage, is a new Culbertson firm and handles hardware and household goods . The two owners also operate the Stratton Auction House.
Observe Wedding Anniversary
Their 25th Wedding Anniversary was observed by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brown in their home, Sunday, June 10, with 112 attending. Mrs. Mildred Kolves of Stanford cut the lovely three tiered cake. Mrs. Royce Steinke poured the punch. The Misses Linda and Nancy Brown served ice cream. Robert Brown took pictures of the occasion and also got a four generation picture on Jim’s side of the family and a five generation picture on Letha’s aside. Jim and Letha received many lovely gifts along with silver.
Receives Award for Poem
Diane Krotter, sophomore at Carleton College, from Palisade, has received the Carleton Chapter of Pi Delta Epsilon Prize for the best single poem appearing in Manuscript, student literary magazine. The prize, which is awarded for each issue of MS, was for her poem entitled, “Somber Water.” Miss Krotter is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Krotter.
Two from Palisade Graduate
Two Palisade students, Seniors at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, received their diplomas at the University’s 85th Commencement exercises on Monday. There were 924, 1956 graduates. Ward David, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton David, received his B.S. degree in Agriculture and Wanda Walbridge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warrie Walbridge, received her B.S. in Home Economics.
News of 1966
The Hitchcock County News
60 Years Ago
School Issue Defeated
There was a very light turnout for Tuesday’s Special Election on the proposed reorganization of the school districts in the county and the voters rejected the plan as proposed. Class III Trenton and Culbertson carried with a majority in favor of the plan. A majority in each of the three classes was necessary for the issue to carry. The following is a tabulation of the votes as they were cast in the four voting places. Class I: Culbertson: 51 For; 88 Against; Palisade: 0 for; 6 against; Stratton: 2 For; 41 Against; Trenton: 27 For; 35 Against-Total 80 For 170 Against. Class II: Culbertson: – For, -Against; Palisade: 63 For; 136 Against; Stratton: 59 For; 214 Against; Trenton – For; 1 Against-Total 122 For; 350 Against. Class III: Culbertson: 88 For; 163 Against; Palisade – For, – Against; Stratton: 7 For; 0 Against; Trenton: 220 For; 73 Against-Total: 315 For, 236 Against.
Old Building Torn Down
Glen Richards, Trenton, has just finished tearing down the old Hinkle building on Stratton’s Main Street. This building is believed to have been built in 1897. It has been used as a bank, a real estate office when he began practice in Stratton, a retail store, and was last used as the office and shop for the Stratton News. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Richards have retired and have moved back to Trenton from California. They are using the lumber to build a house in Trenton.
Teen Agers Tour D.C.
Two Trenton Teen-agers Caren Lucille Hay and Wayne Johnson left Saturday night, June 4, from Lincoln for a week-long tour Washington, D.C. Caren Lucille, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hay, and Wayne , the son of Mr. and Mrs. Orval Johnson, won their trip in an essay contest on rural electrification sponsored by the Southwest Public Power District of Palisade in cooperation with the Nebraska Rural Electric Association. They toured the nation’s capital with 27 other Nebraska Teen-agers most of whom won thier trips in similar contests conducted by the rural electric systems who serve their parents homes. Chaperones fro the group were Mr and Mrs. Leland Kitt of Palisade. Mr. Kitt is president of NREA and treasurer of Southwest PPD. Mrs. Lucille A. Clema of Lincoln, general manager of NREA, was also a chaperone and the tour manager.
News of 1976
The Hitchcock County News
50 Years Ago
Called to Grass Fire
The Trenton Volunteer Firemen were called to the Gilbert Berndt farm last Friday afternoon to put out a grass fire around their farmyard. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The Berndt’s were not at home when the blaze started. A passer-by, James Sis from south of Stratton, first discovered the fire and when he could not find anyone at home, and knowing that he could not put it out alone, he drove to town and turned in the alarm. Meanwhile a couple of McCook firemen who were passing by, summoned help via CB radio. Several acres of grassland was burned and a couple of the farm buildings were scorched. The Trenton Firemen, assisted by the off-duty firemen from McCook, were able to control the fire despite the heavy south winds. Mrs. Berndt and her son, Rodney, and daughter, Beverly, arrived home about the same time the fire equipment started arriving, Gilbert, who was at his north farm, arrived after the fire was in control.
Honored for Years of Service
Clinton Trego of Trenton was among 73 Skelly Oil Company employees honored for their years of service at a special recognition dinner May 27th. He was honored for 25 years of service with Skelly. He is a member of the domestic exploration and production department and was introduced at the dinner by Judd Oualline, vice president of domestic exploration and production. Trego came to Skelly June 11, 1951 as a roustabout at Chase, Kansas. He has since served in numerous positions. He came to Trenton in 1973 as a foreman II and has been in his present position since 1975. He is a graduate of Little River, Kansas High School and served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He and his wife, Norma, live at 314 Circle Drive in Trenton.
News of 1986
The Hitchcock County News
40 Years Ago
Pioneer Days Prelude to Centennial
If the prelude is any indication, the Palisade Pioneer Days Centennial Celebration next year will be a huge success. This year’s version, although not playing to as large a crowd, featured one of the finer parades with 41 units entered. Overall Chairman Stan Kravig felt that the event was a success and is hopeful that the enthusiasm will continue through the the 1987 event. Big event of the celebration was the long parade down Main Street Saturday morning led off by the servicemen’s color guard and followed by the Palisade School Band all decked out in their uniforms. Ideal weather conditions prevailed which helped the crowd enjoy the event. The parade featured such things as fine floats, good horses, good looking girls, individuals in costumes, antique cars, alumni classes on floats, organizations with floats, businesses with floats, the fire department, Shiner organizations and service clubs. Towns represented in the parade included McCook, Benkelman, Stratton, Hayes Center, Wauneta and Imperial. They all helped the parade be the success that it was. The various events were judged with McCook Cordials winning first in organizations, followed by Palisade United Methodist Church and Frenchman Valley 4-H Club. Commercial float was won by the Bartley Centennial, with Palisade Grocery second and Lee Janssen third. In individual floats, the Megorian Family won first followed by Rebekah Williams and Due second and Don Husted third. Following the parade, the community held thier annual carnival booths for the youngsters and oldsters as well. The horse shoe pitching tournament was held near Bob’s Station. No results were available at this time. Besides all the games for the kids, the event provided various games an contests. For the adults there was mud volleyball or the firemen’s water fight where men and women teams competed and had fun as did the kids. In the firemen’s water fight Red Willow West Department won followed by McCook, Palisade No 1 and Bartley. On Saturday evening in the City Park, the community served barbecued beef free of charge to around 900 persons. Each got a sandwich, chips, beans and a drink. Then the tennis court resounded to the strains of Country-Western music of Ron Scott and the Road Masters. They played a while then the Moon Shadows took over with strictly Rock Music. Thus ended another Pioneer Days celebration with people looking forward to the big Centennial next year.
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