HITCHCOCK COUNTY – HOMETOWN HISTORY – WEEK OF JULY 9, 2026
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News of 1946
The Trenton Register
80 Years Ago
News Briefs Here and There
The Palisade community was heavily hit by war casualties last week when War Department telegrams were received by five families carrying messages of the death of four Hitchcock and a Hayes County fighting men, and the injury of another. The men listed as dead included Cpl. Paul L. Barlow, Pfc. John Kenneth Brown, Phm-M Virgil McClatchey and Pfc. Colonel Collins. Pvt. Dale McClatchey, the injured man, and Virgil McClatchey were brothers.
Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Seybold of Trenton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Wednesday, July 4th. A bounteous dinner was enjoyed by all. The afternoon was spent visiting and taking pictures. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Horrell and Phillis Jean of Oregon; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Seybold and Shirley of Denver; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Seybold and Ronnie; Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Seybold, Sharon, Bobby and Charlene; Mrs. Clarence Taul, Doris, Anita and Joyce; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Jessen and Betty; Mrs. Wm. Baker and Dewey Seybold, all of Trenton.
Heavy Shower Monday
A heavy shower of rain late Tuesday afternoon, following a day of real summer weather, brought 0.47 of an inch of moisture here in Trenton. The fall was heavier in some localities, and in the Steinke neighborhood southwest of town only a trace of rain fell. Summer heat has prevailed this week, and many farmers are busy binding some of their small graincrop. Combining operations, for the most part, are still at least a week away, with prospects for one of the biggest and best crops in the county’s history.
Now Flying Own Plane
Art Duckworth, prominent southside farmer, is the first aviation enthusiast in the Trenton community to own and pilot a plane. Art went to Denver last week and flew the plane home on Friday. It is a Piper Cub, 2-place cabin plane, according to the information given The Register. Art had expected to purchase a used Army plane when he went to Denver, but found this privately-owned plane on the market, and after flying several of the planes, decided the Piper Cub was the bust buy. Art, who holds a civilian pilot’s license, has a landing field on his farm southeast of Trenton which has been given state and federal approval as a private landing field.
Albert Weds Carter
The marriage of Miss Frieda Albert, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Albert of Culbertson, to Marion L. Carter, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Carter, of Trenton took place in the Zion Evangelical Church in Culbertson at 8pm Thursday evening June 28, in the presence of 80 relatives and friends. The bride is a graduate of Culbertson High School with the Class of the 1933, attended both Hastings College and Western Union College at Lamar, Iowa. She taught at Coin, Iowa for the past two years has been the fourth grade teacher in the Trenton schools. The groom is a successful young farmer of the territory just north of Trenton. The altar was decorated with baskets of flowers and candelabra. The candles were lighted by Miss Esther Albert, who was gowned in orchid net. Preceding the ceremony nuptial music was played by Miss Martha Albert, who was gowned in yellow organdy. Miss Donna Mae Bauer sang, “I Love You Truly.” The wedding party entered to the strains of Lohengrin and double-ring ceremony was performed by Rev. F.E. Schroeder, pastor of the church. Miss Lydia Albert, gowned in blue frosted organdy, was bridesmaid and carried a bouquet of yellow roses and white carnations. Jolene Albert was flower girl. The bride wore a gown of white lace and net, and fingertip veil held in place with orange blossoms. Her bouquet was pink roses and white sweet peas. She wore a cameo necklace which was a gift of the groom. The bridegroom wore the conventional blue blossoms suit and Glen Makings served as grooms-man. Ushers were Edward Albert and Marvin Makings. While the couple knelt at the altar, Rev. and Mrs. J.G. Germany sang, “Take Time to Be Holy.” A reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents following the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Carter left for Denver and will be at home to their friends at Trenton, after July 8th.
News of 1956
The Trenton Register
70 Years Ago
Crops Gain with More Rain
More rainfall has been in the weather picture throughout the week for the high plains area. In Trenton we added 0.67 of an inch to the year’s total for three rains, since last Thursday. The big rain and the one that was a “perfect rain” for the county was on Monday night. Trenton’s share was an even half inch, and reports from farmers were from a half inch to a little over an inch. This was the most general rain in the county this spring, and was not accompanied by any violent wind storm. Last Thursday, 0.10 was recorded and on Saturday 0.07 at the State Bank of Trenton gauge. This brings the unofficial total for the year to 4.93 inches. Though we missed a rain in Trenton on Tuesday night, it was reported that 2.5 to three inches fell near the Otto Stolte farm south near the state line. This brought in enough water to wash out two bridges on the creek. Other parts of the county reported showers on Tuesday. Rains have delayed the finishing of wheat harvest in the county, but the bulk of the harvest in Trenton is the “same as done.” Spring crops look as good as they ever have and the pastures which were so dry are beginning to come back, although progress is slow. Another fine feature of the wet weather is the cool nights. Everyone is. enjoying the unprecedented cool weather, a far cry from the usual July heat waves so common here.
Hinz-Kaltoff Wedding
Pink and white gladioli appointed the chancel of the St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 24th for the marriage of Dorothy Hinz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Hinz, McCook, and lavern Kalthoff, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kalthoff of Trenton. The Rev. C.F. Shrein solemnized the 3pm ceremony in the presence of 150 guests. Mrs. Reinhard Hinz, organist, played the traditional wedding march and accompanied the solo by Mrs. Stanley Hanse, who sang “Perfect Love”, “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “Bless this House.” Matron of Honor, Mrs. Delbert Deines, Independence, MO., led the bridal party dressed in a floor length gown with a veil of nylon net and lace over taffeta. The strapless bodice was fashioned of lace over taffeta with a matching lace jacket. She had a bouquet of pink carnations with identical headband flowers. Bridesmaids appeared in gowns in varied shades of pink, green, yellow and lavender, styled like the dress of the Matron of Honor and carried bouquets and wore headbands in contrasting colors. Bridesmaids were Mrs. Lavila Pollman, Mrs. Joan Martin, LaDonna Kalthoff and Mrs. Kathy Kunemann. Miss Lydia Hinz flower girl, wore a floor length white organelle gown over pink taffeta. She carried a basket of pink carnations with a matching headband. Ringbearer Roger Kunkee, was dressed in a white dinner jacket over Navy trousers, and carried the rings on a white satin pillow. Given in marriage by her father, the bride chose a floor length gown with a new flattering neckline of pleated nylon tulle. Exquisite French lace covered the bodice, forming the long and fragile sleeves and highlighted the bouffant skirt of misty nylon tulle. Her shoulder length veil of nylon tulle was held in place by a shell cap of sequins and pearls. She carried a bouquet of pink Delight roses, and her only jewelry was a double strand of pearls, a gift of the groom. Attendants of the groom were Best Man, Donald Hinz, and Ushers Walter Pollman, Jr., Paul Martin, Harlan Groothuis and Alvin Hinz. A reception followed in the church parlors. The Hall was decorated with white bells and crepe paper streamers in colors to match the attendants gowns. Presiding at the gift table were Mrs. Lois Lepper and Ruth Ann Kunkee. Miss Kunkee also had charge of the guest book. Assisting in the dining room were Marilyn Roedel, who poured, and Mrs. Irma Hinz, who cut the wedding cake. Eunice Haase and Donna Roedel served the brides table, assisted by Mmes. Fern Reiners, Maxine Schrein, and Vernice Sines. For their wedding trip through the northeastern states, the bride chose a suit dress of avocado green and white with beige accessories, and a corsage of white carnations. The couple will make their home on a farm, south of Trenton.
News of 1966
The Hitchcock County News
60 Years Ago
Cub Scouts Visit News Office
Den One of Troop 205, Cub Scouts of Trenton, under the leadership of Mrs. Lloyd Frederick visited the News Office Friday and observed the printing of their own special edition. Scouts present were Roger Frederick, Roger Lewis, Terry Lambert, and Bruce Frederick. Jamie Frederick was a guest.
Girl Scouts Camp at Lodge Visit Massacre Canyon Monument
There were 105 Junior Girl Scouts, 25 leaders, and five helpers camped at the Girl Scout Lodge on Swanson Lake last week from Sunday until Wednesday, June 26 to 29. They were from the District Five We-So-Braska Council with 4th, 5th, and 6th grade girls from Champion, Trenton, Imperial, Wauneta, Hayes Center, and McCook. Mrs. Arthur Silvester of Champion was Camp Director. Muriel McArthur, Hastings Executive Director of the Council was also present. The girls were brought to town in the Trenton School buses on Monday evening for a swim in the pool. On Tuesday evening they had a chuck wagon supper at the Massacre Canyon Monument park east of Trenton. Leon Kimberling and Arthur Silvester, both of Champion brought a chuck wagon and a team of mules to make the occasion more authentic. The girls enjoyed riding in the wagon after eating their supper. Later as the sun was just going down, the girls sat in a half circle around a campfire just below the monument and watched a group of Boy Scouts from Opal Springs do their Indian Dances. Ed Peterson, McCook, accompanied Tim Holmes, Don Owens and Garland Miles, all of North Platte, who put on a very fine show for the girls who had been studying Indian Lore at the Camp. It was a very weary bunch of girls who boarded the buses for the ride back to the Lodge for their last night at camp.
News of 1976
The Hitchcock County News
50 Years Ago
Saturday Hail Storm Wipes Out Crops
A Saturday evening hail storm cut a path five to seven miles wide across the county, coming in north of Culbertson and extending to the south and west to Atwood, Kansas. Thousands of acres of farmland was affected with wheat fields mowed off, corn and feed stripped, and extensive damage done to buildings. There were several unconfirmed reports of livestock killed. With wheat harvest just barely getting started, there wasn’t much of that crop saved.
Stratton Celebrates the Fourth with Big Bicentennial Program
The July 4th celebration held in Stratton was a huge success. The day started at 10:30am with a Community Church Service held in Pitner Park. Approximately 300 were in attendance. The Rev. Ray Arno of Homer, Alaska was the guest speaker. Rev. Arno works with the Alaska Village Missions and Alaska Bible Institute. At 1:00pm all the church bells were rung for five minutes, joining in the nationwide bell ringing commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At this time the Boy Scouts held a flag raising ceremony in front of the Village Hall. In the afternoon games and contests were held for all ages. There were no winners in the pre-school group, with all receiving a big red ribbon. There was free swimming all afternoon. A free treat, cotton candy, was served to the youngsters all afternoon and a pot luck supper was held after the games with approximately 400 persons attending – with lots of good food. The evenings’s entertainment began with an exhibition put on by Tony Dowell’s wrestling team, followed by a talent show. Curtis Hawkinson, dressed in a Bicentennial costume, began the program with the flag salute. Lois Carlson led the crowd in group singing. Jeanette Earnest, accompanied by her parents, sang “Teddy Bear” and “I’m Gonna Write a Song.” A humorous style show was put on by Frank Vrbas and his world wide famous models. Ricky Jackson, accompanied by his father and sister, Lisa, sang “Doggie in the Window” and “Hey Good Lookin”. Helen Brannon read several humorous readings. Johnny Walker and Buddy Schofield sang “Redemption Draweth Nigh.” Vic Kisela played two numbers on his accordion. Carl Philo, accompanied by Marjorie Redfield sang “Jerusalem.” Allen Ekstrum gave a humorous reading . Robert Turpin sang a melody of songs and the program ended with Jeanette Earnest and Johnny Walker singing “God Bless America Again.” The wonderful evening climaxed with a great fireworks display put on by Miller Manufacturing Co.
News of 1986
The Hitchcock County News
40 Years Ago
Termites Discovered in Gym Floor
Workmen for Merritt Exterminator of Ogalalla-McCook started Monday eliminating termites from the Trenton High School gym floor. Janitors at the school noticed the insects around the pop machine in the lobby first. They pulled out the machine and back of the floor facing found a tunnel where they were operating. On further investigation they were noted on the edge of the gym floor. The school called in expert exterminators to eliminate the pests from the entire High School building. Larry Merritt owner of the firm with his two sons said that the insects get into the building such as concrete structures where there is a break in the concrete causing a crack. They can get started in a very small crack. Termites have become a problem because the chemicals farmers use in the field have reduced their habitat to unfarmed areas and houses and towns. They have thus invaded the only territory left to them and this is the reason they have become a problem in recent years. He explained that in the 85 by 84 foot gym floor they will drill holes every 36 inches, drilling through the concrete structure underneath into the soil, put the chemical in and plug the hole in the concrete with a foam substance so that none of the the chemical gets under the floor. This would injure the floor, he said. The floor will be plugged with a dowel, he said. They use this method in the floor to make sure they get the termites as they do not know where the crack is that they are getting into the building. If they are unable to get back in for 24 to 36 hours they will die as they are like bees, have to get back to their hive or they perish. They expect to be working a week exterminating the pests from the High School building, he said.
Winners of Fourth Grade Poster Contest
Fourth graders from eight area schools accepted Community Hospital’s invitation to tour the hospital during National Hospital Week. Winners of the fourth grade poster contest receiving their awards were Ann Dicenta first place, Trenton; Trapper Lappe, first place-Culbertson; Mike Forch, second place-Stratton; Sarah Richards, first place-Stratton. The fourth graders made the posters following hospital tours during National Hospital Week in May. A first and second place winner was selected from each school and the grand prize winner was chosen from all first place posters. John Oetting grand prize winner from North Ward received a $10 certificate to McDonalds..