Looking Back

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

100 YEARS AGO

‘A Big Scare, But

Little Hurt’

January 25, 1913

As No. 5 pulled into the station Tuesday and unloaded her passengers, a wild horse dragging a lariat with a saddle flying from the far end dashed on the scene. The way the passengers had of falling over the park fence was not restrained by such little impedimenta as grips, narrow skirts and dignity. The saddle in describing a parabola hit the horse attached to the laundry wagon and sent it on a mad race to the flats. Just before anyone was killed or scared quite to death, two horsemen, Messrs. Perkins and Bolton, appeared on the stage and roped the crazy animal.

Since no damage was done, the little diversion was quite a welcome break in life’s monotony and may be pulled off again on request.

75 YEARS AGO

January 25, 1938

‘Cheyenne County Men Patent

New Type Loading Machine’

E. W. West of Dalton and E. R. Blome of Sidney have secured patents covering a new type of all purpose loader which they have designed after two years of experiment and study. Mr. Blome said Friday that the loader is expected to solve the problem of conserving straw on farms where the widespread use of combines for whet harvesting has left the farmer without his customary straw supply.

The machine is simple in design and operation and has been enthusiastically greeted by farmers and machinery company engineers who have seen it in operation, said Mr. Blome. It not only has been designed to solve the straw problem but it is also a simple and economical hay loader and will handle all straw type crops.

The design provides for the loader to be fastened on the rear of a hay rack. It follows the contour of the land, being equipped with a spring to allow for rough ground, and scoops the hay or straw from the ground by means of a series of fork like attachments. It conveys the straw or hay to the top of the machine and dumps it in the rack without necessity of human labor.

The design is simple enough that any inexperienced farm hand or boy can operate the loader from the rack. It weighs about 400 pounds and will retail for approximately $100, Mr. Blome explained.

The idea for the original design was conceived by Mr. West, a farmer near Dalton. He and Mr. Blome supervised construction of the first loader at Dalton. Changes were made, corrections installed and finally a machine was built which they believed approached perfection.

At the present time the machines are being manufactured in a foundry at Kensington, Kansas. Mr. Blome did not divulge their future plans for setting up marketing and distributing methods.

Mr. Blome said he and Mr. West had shown and demonstrated the loader to a number of farmers in this territory, who received it enthusiastically. They have a number of testimonial letters from experienced farm operators and observers, all of which indicate that the loader has solved a problem created by the innovation of combine harvesting.

One of the loaders is now on display at the Sidney Parts and Bearing Company.

50 YEARS AGO

‘Sidney To Host 1964 Convention

Of Sheriffs And Peace Officers-Alertness

Brings Results; Meeting comes to Sidney’

January 23, 1963

Alertness on the part of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sidney paid off in Omaha yesterday when the Nebraska Sheriffs and Peace Officers Assn. voted to bring their 1964 convention to Sidney.

Tipped off that there was s chance that Sidney might be considered for the meeting, C of C manager Wayne Moran and City Manager Tom Coffey composed wires to the association on behalf of the C of C and the city, inviting the convention here and assuring association members a real sample of old western hospitality.

Other Sidney businesses, including the Sidney Telegraph, followed up with similar messages.

Meanwhile, the Cheyenne County Sheriff W. W. Schulz and Sidney Police Chief Sol Willis, who were at the convention, went to work at the scene and lined up support from their friends.

It was a study in how a community works together to take advantage of a promising opportunity.

As a result, around 200 Nebraska lawmen, many of them accompanied by their wives, will come to Sidney early next year for their annual state convention.

Those who question the merits of Chamber of Commerce activity in a community can take a lesson from this example.

25 YEARS AGO

‘McDonald’s, Texaco Plan Development’

January 27, 1988

McDonald’s is bringing its golden arches to Sidney – by this spring. “It’s a happy day for us. We received our second contract today from McDonald’s and Pro Oil Company.”

With those words, Oscar Glover indicated the September, 1986 city council decision to extend utilities to the east interchange. Glover, a former City Councilman, made the announcement early in Tuesday evening’s regular session of Council.

He reported the fat food operation and the oil company were both planning to invest “several million dollars in a quality, joint operation” on property he owns, northwest of the I-80 interchange.

“We have contracted with Filsinger Excavating to complete the project (site preparation) as soon as the frost is out of the ground,” Glover remarked. Introducing Dick Dodge, Glover prefaced, “Four years ago, I hired Dick Dodge as president of Glover Group and charged him with the responsibility of developing the interchange property – in his spare time. He had more spare time than I thought.”

Dodge first expressed “the gratitude of McDonald’s Corporation and that of Pro Oil, for the outstanding way the city has moved to ready the interchange.”

He also singled out High Plains Development Group Chief Executive Officer Chuck Elliott and Chamber Coordinator Gary Person for outstanding efforts on behalf of the project and, noting the presence of Roger Anthony, recalled the packed Sept. 2, 1986, meeting preceding the city decision to extend the utilities. Anthony, head of Prestolite Wire, was spokesman for the group championing the extension.

Dodge also noted the development will create employment, providing “jobs for the kids of the community.” Although no concrete numbers were available, Glover noted later “the McDonald’s operation will be a major store.”

“McDonald’s personnel were here about a week ago,” Dodge revealed. “They did not want fanfare and they visited with people without them knowing.” Dodge said the result was the company is “very excited about coming to Sidney.

He also said,k in an aside that he talked with the president of McDonald’s in a meeting at Denver. “The president said ‘This is our first McDonald’s in Sidney.’ I don’t know if he was talking tongue-in-cheek, but he said they were looking forward to their second, and third, and fourth, McDonald’s here.

“They must expect Sidney to grow.”

The fast-food operation, Dodge also pointed out. “will be the first McDonald’s built that is built before any other buildings. They usually want development to be under way and other businesses in place before they go in.”

Noting both planned businesses “want to be fully operational” by May 15, Dodge reported the McDonald’s corporation “tries to use as many local contractors as possible for sub-contracting work. He also reported bids for the Pro Oil operation, “are being offered now.”

Glover also reported the Pro Oil operation will be a combination truck and auto stop, with self service pumps. “It’ll be completely computerized,” he noted. Both building sites will be at the same level as the adjacent highway and ”KN is going to take a gas line out there for us. McDonald’s uses a lot of natural gas.”

Roads to the area will be “cut in this summer” Glover said. He noted work on the site must wait for “the frost to get out of the ground. We can’t work until it is, because we have to get compaction tests on the ground before any building can be done.”

In the spirit of the occasion, Councilman Pete Petroff grinned, “Dick, I’ll wager my next city pay check (councilmen are not paid) you’ll be the first to have a ‘Big Mac attack’”.

“I already have,” Dodge admitted.

10 YEARS AGO

‘Dorwart Gets Anderson Award;

Lowry Is Citizen Of Year’

January 24, 2003

Long time supporters of Sidney, the county and the area were honored Friday at the 2003 annual banquet of the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce.

The Edna Anderson Award went to Pat Dorwart. She was recognized for her work with the Ladies Chamber, the Ambassadors, the WNCC Endowment Foundation and other community projects. Making the presentation was Dr. C. J. Cornelius, Jr., the 2002 recipient.

That is the top honor the Chamber can bestow.

Citizen of the Year is Kimberly Lowry. She has headed a fund raising campaign to purchase toddler -sized playground equipment for Legion Park.

Ted Egging, Sr., Mary Egging and the Egging family received the E. K. Yanney Award. The family was cited for not only for their support of the community, but their involvement with with their schools, community and church.

Joel Birner was named Board Member of the Year. He served on the chamber’s board of directors for 26 years, and was instrumental with various community projects.

Sue Hiett was named Chamber Supporter of the Year. She is completing a term as president of the Business Boosters and is the chairman of the Keep Sidney Beautiful committee.

A special Chamber Award of Honor went to Gail (Butch) Crookedfoot for his always being willing to help wherever needed by whoever asks and for being “the Number One Husker Fan.”