Good Old Days - 12-06-13

COMPILED BY THE SIDNEY Sun-Telegraph staff

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

'An All Week's Storm Still In Progress'

December 6, 1913

A gentle rain began falling Sunday at three p.m. and kept up a gentle drizzle for fifty consecutive hours. Then a six Tuesday evening the snow began just where the rain left off and kept that up all of Tuesday night. Wednesday morning revealed about four inches of the wettest even snow possible. There was no wind to speak of and it didn't freeze at all. This was the best possible treatment for the fall wheat of which the county has thousands of acres.

We can add a postscript to our storm paragraph. Now at Friday three p.m. this section has not seen the sun since last Saturday. It began raining Sunday afternoon and kept it up until Wednesday morning; remained cloudy Wednesday and began raining toward evening; kept that up until Thursday evening, then began snowing and is at it yet as we go to press. We don't tell this for news, but maybe you have not made such nice divisions. And notice we don't call it a million-dollar storm. It couldn't possibly be warmer or wetter for December and winter wheat is reported to be just grinning. Trains are tied up in the yards owing to snow blockade this side of Cheyenne. No. 9 left Sidney Thursday evening and is stuck in a big drift near Archer and is still there. The snow plow went up from here to help the one from Cheyenne. There is not much wind here and has not been. This is about the time train crews and operating men resolve to change their jobs before another winter. But, oh you pay check. Farmers are gazing out at their crops and smiling and when the thing lets up they will get out their big wagon and pile mother in and away they will come to buy the most generously of the largest Christmas stock of the country's history. The weather man can't hurt anybody here with his little old storm.

75 YEARS AGO

'53-Year Old Tobin Opera House Is Being Demolished - Was Center For Social Life'

December 6, 1938

The Tobin Opera House-one of Sidney's few remaining landmarks-is being demolished by a WPA crew under the direction of George Plein, who was hired by the city to supervise the demolition. Title to the property was secured by the city last summer in a deal with the Tobin family.

Built in 1883, the old opera house once was the center of Sidney's social, intellectual and sports life. It was used for meetings and other affairs as late as 1930, when construction of the city auditorium provided more modern facilities. In the past few years the building had been used as a roller skating rink.

Virtually all plays which came to Sidney, or were produced by home talent, were held in the old opera house. Familiar melodramas like Uncle Tom's Cabin thrilled hundreds in the old frame structure.

When motion pictures first reached into the mid west, it was in the old Tobin opera house that "The Birth of a Nation" was shown. Not until some time later was a picture house opened to present movie features regularly.

It was in the old Tobin opera house that Fred Parks-Sidney's greatest boxer-acquired his early reputation as one of the middle west's top flight prize fighters. Thousands of sports fans crammed this building in those days during a series of sensational fights that elevated Parks to a plane of national recognition.

Many a romance budded in the old opera house. Dancing parties were regular affairs in the early days, and the first seeds of love were often sown during these entertainments. The opera house also was the scene of all public dances and its rafters echoed some of the best-and worst-music in the land.

As Sidney's business district expanded, the old opera house became a fire hazard and an eye sore. Once the pride of the community, it found itself aside as a relic of an outmoded age. For most of the past ten years the Tobin opera house has stood empty and silent, it's glory dimmed by finer and larger entertainment centers.

There are many old timers remaining in Sidney who will shed a tear at the destruction of the old building that provided them with the social and recreational center every community demands.

From the standpoint of good business, the old building must come down. It presents a constant fire hazard and has been influential in elevating fire insurance premiums in its immediate vicinity.

But from the standpoint of sentimentality, the old structure will live forever in the minds of those who knew it in younger and healthier days. Like an old and trusted friend, it will pass from sight but not from memory.

50 YEARS AGO

'Citizenry Shocked By Deaths'

December 9, 1963

Tragedy struck at Lodgepole Saturday evening when a minister and his 17-year old son were killed when the car in which they were riding was hit at the west crossing by an eastbound Union Pacific freight train.

The victims were the Rev. Reece W. Farlow, 49, pastor of the Pilgrim Holiness Church, and Ray Lawrence Farlow, 17. They were listed as the fifth and sixth traffic fatalities for the year in Cheyenne County and are believed to be the 21st and 22nd persons to have met their death at the two railroad crossings connecting the north and south sides of the town.

The accident happened at about 5:53 p.m. when, it is believed, the two men were driving from their home in the north part of town to a grocery store on the south side. Authorities said that the flashing signal lights were operating when the car crossed the tracks.

The freight train, estimated to be going at 60 miles an hour, was operated by engineer Jerry Mahaffie of North Platte. The train hit the car with such violence that it literally tore the vehicle in pieces, scattering the parts of it for a distance of 97 feet from the point of impact. It is not known if the two occupants were both thrown from the car, but the Rev. Mr. Farlow was pinned underneath and Ray was lying beside the main part of the vehicle.

Trooper Paul Manley of the Highway Safety Patrol said that the vehicle, a 1951 Ford, was torn up so badly that the debris was scattered over a wide area. For example, the gas tank was found in the middle of the Lodgepole Park, which adjoins the tracks.

At the time the accident occurred Mrs. Farlow was at work in the Midway Plant at Oshkosh. The only other member of the family is a married daughter, Mrs. Barry Brown, who lives in Alliance.

Sheriff W. W. Schulz, County Attorney John Peetz, Jr. and Deputy Sheriff Kermit Brumbaugh were working with Manley on the investigation. It was not known at the time of a report this morning which of the men was doing the driving. In addition, Trooper Manley reported that Mr. Farlow's billfold is still missing.

Lodgepolites are pondering the problem now of what to do to make the crossing safer. The arm type of barricades might help, one spokesman said.

Frank Pivonka said this morning that, in the 20 years he has lived in Lodgepole, he knows of ten persons killed at the crossings. This number includes three pedestrians and a mother with three children.

Prior to that it is known that a family of eight from Bayard was killed in 1925 and, Mr. Pivonka said, just before he came to Lodgepole there were four persons killed when the car in which they were riding was hit.

This would make a tragic total of 22 persons known to have met their deaths at the two crossings.

25 YEARS AGO

'Lowe Gets Honor'

December 9, 1988

Jack Lowe received an honor and title Thursday.

The honor was deserved-the title desired.

Lowe, who was the first president of the WNCC Endowment Association, became the first to receive an honorary membership in the Association, a new honor starting this year.

Lowe was president of the fund raising organization from 1976, the year the organization started, until he stepped down in 1982.

Making the presentation was Association President Pat Dorwart, who said the honorary memberships will be presented annually to steady and faithful Endowment Association workers.

The title he received, and one Lowe reportedly has long coveted, was being named an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy.

Dorwart learned of that secret wish when she spoke with Lowe's wife. Being a good friend of Gov. Kay Orr (she served as Orr's campaign co-chairman in her 1986 election campaign) Dorwart had no trouble persuading the governor to issue the commission in the states' mythical navy.

"I'm really pleased about this," Lowe said of both the honorary membership – and the commission. "I'm very proud to get this," (the commission) coming from you, Pat and the governor," he responded.

Lowe recalled the early days of the Endowment Association, joking he got the job of president because he was not at the organizational meeting.

"I've always been proud of that school," he said. "What little we may have attributed, I am glad to say that we have been successful."

10 YEARS AGO

'Developer Takes Reigns Of Former Depot'

December 8, 2003

A Front Range developer has made an optimistic investment in Sidney and Cheyenne County's economic future. Bob Ehrlich, who has spearheaded several land development projects in the Sidney area, was the successful bidder for the former Sioux Army Depot property at an October bankruptcy auction.

"It's a neat property and a unique piece of history. We're really excited to have it," said Heidi Ehrlich. According to Ehrlich, plans for the property at this time are twofold.

The housing within the former munitions depot is being offered as an affordable rental option in the Sidney area. There are currently 70 apartments available including studios, one, two and three bedroom units, as well as three bedroom homes with full basements. "As the demand grows more units will be improved and made available," said Ehrlich.

Prices range from$200 per month for a studio up to $550 for a three bedroom house.

The property's abundant warehouse space and prime sites for industrial development will also be promoted. The area has an attractive combination for potential industrial and warehouse operations with its convenient location near interstate and rail service.

The I-80 Industrial Park property has gone through some arduous times in recent years, between ownership changes and becoming involved in a battle regarding water service to surrounding areas.

The I-80 Industrial Park originally operated as the Sioux Army Depot from 1942 to 1967. From 1968 to 1995 it was Western Nebraska Technical College, before eventually becoming part of Western Nebraska Community College.

When WNCC switched operations and built a new campus in Sidney, it sold the property to Alan Getz of Sterling. Getz then sold it to Schneiderman and Laura White who named it the I-80 Industrial Park.

Schneiderman later sold the property to Baptist Youth Ministries, but after BYM defaulted on its loan the property returned to him. Schneiderman filed for bankruptcy in 2003. This led to Ehrlich purchasing the property for $1.4 million in a bankruptcy auction.