Good Old Days 02-07-14

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

'A Close Call For The Mercantile'

February 7, 1914

Saturday evening about nine o'clock when Mr. Greenlee was leaving the store, he being the last to remain, a whiff of smoke floated down the stairway. Investigation revealed a considerable blaze on the second floor. Realizing that a fire alarm would mean the loss of thousands of dollars by water, quick thinking and by rapid use of chemical extinguishers and blankets dipped in water, four people were able to extinguish the flames. The fire seemed to have started in a glass wardrobe used for the hanging of the of the best gowns and suits. On the top of this cabinet were piled quantities of blankets and as the fire had burned the deepest next to the chimney it is reasonable to think it may have come from combustion in the closely packed blankets. The blankets and garments were totally destroyed. Vigilant watch was kept all night that any incipient spark would not show up later. The Sidney Mercantile is fortunate in the affair and is so pleased with the efficiency of the hand grenades that it is putting in a larger number.

75 YEARS AGO

'Nine Below Zero Is Low Sidney Reading As Cold Wave Hits'

February 10, 1939

The first severe cold snap of the winter sent the mercury topling to nine degrees below zero in Sidney early Wednesday morning-lowest reading of 1939.

Thursday morning's low mark was four degrees below zero. The mercury had not gone above 16 at any time Wednesday or Thursday.

Some relief may be received in Nebraska this weekend, although the weather bureau sees no important break in the cold spell. The sudden change paralyzed business in Cheyenne County. Car owners had difficulty starting their machines Wednesday and garages were kept busy all day. Coal dealers also were rushed as dwindling supplies of coal were replenished.

The mercury was skidding fast Thursday afternoon, threatening to bring a new low for the winter Thursday night. At one p.m. yesterday the official reading was below zero and at 2 p.m. the mercury had dropped three degrees to five below zero. A chilling north wind added to the suffering.

Farmers were taking every possible precaution to guard their livestock against temperatures which might reach fifteen below zero.

A wave of Arctic cold moved eastward Wednesday along a trail marked by subzero temperatures.

The mass of chilling air extended from Alaska to Illinois. In nine states readings under the zero level were recorded. An official low of 38 below was registered at Dickinson, N. Dak., while an unofficial 44 below was reported in Westhope, N. Dak., near the Canadian border.

50 YEARS AGO

'Snyder's Is Remodeling'

February 7, 1964

One of Sidney's oldest business establishments is getting a new face.

Workmen are busy this week constructing a new front for The Snyder Clothing Co.

Robert Lloyd, owner and manager of the Snyder Store, says the work should be completed some time next week. He plans a grand opening later on.

The remodeling will add about 144 square feet of sales space inside the store, Mr. Lloyd said, by pushing the front of the store forward about 120 inches.

The new front will be a combination of glass, porelainized paneling and cement. The entrance will be moved to the north of the store and will be flush with the north ceiling flush with the north end of the angled display window. The door will be of glass and aluminum.

On the interior, a lowered ceiling in the front of the store will have recessed lighting.

Mr. Lloyd said the remodeling will make it possible to expand virtually every line of clothing and accessories carried in the store.

Snyder's has been a retailer of men's clothing and accessories in Sidney for more than a half century.

25 YEARS AGO

'16 Head Of Cattle Killed When Train Hits Transport'

February 6, 1989

Sixteen of almost 30 head of cattle were killed Friday following the collision of a Union Pacific train with a cattle trailer.

According to Randy Faessler, owner of the St. George Ranch, 29 head of cattle had been loaded on the ranch three miles east of Sidney. Friday, Faessler had estimated at least half of the animals would either die or have to be put down because of injuries. According to Cheyenne County Sheriff Darrell Johnson, 12 head of cattle died outright and four more had to be destroyed afterward. He said the cattle were the property of Sheldon Livestock Sales, Sheldon, IA. They were valued at $11,049.44.

John E. Dykstra, 31, Sioux Fall, SD, was the driver of the truck. According to the accident report prepared by the sheriff's department, Dykstra pulled up to the Union Pacific railroad crossing at the entrance to the ranch, looked left and pulled ahead.

The freight train which struck the north-bound truck was west-bound and struck the truck on the right side, tearing the aluminum trailer in two in the collision.

At the scene, Friday investigators and clean-up crews were hampered by the severe cold. At the time of the collision the temperature was approximately 15 below zero and a stiff breeze contributed a biting wind chill.

Cost of the trailer was estimated to be between $30,000 and $40,000.

10 YEARS AGO

'Sidney Students Get Potatoes-Peruvian Style'

February 7, 2004

Here's an idea for the next Taste of Sidney. Add an international flavor.

A growing number of Sidney residents have moved here from other countries in recent years, bringing with them foods from their home lands.

In recent years, Sidney and the area have gained residents from India, Pakistan, Peru, Mexico, Australia, Uganda and China, to name a few. Each country has its own unique dishes.

One recent arrival in Sidney who may be willing to provide an international flavor is Donny Penaherrera, a native of Lima, Peru. She, her husband, Carlos, and daughter, Amy Panduro, arrived in Sidney last September, coming here from Maryland.

Thursday, Donny and Amy, a freshman at Sidney High School, showed a SHS foods class how to prepare Papa a la Huancaina, a potato dish. Main ingredients, said Penaherrera, are potatoes, unsalted crackers, Queso Fesco cheese, not readily available in this area, and yellow chile, that she describes as "just a little picante."

It is garnished with boiled eggs, black olives and iceberg lettuce.

The Penaherrera family lived in Maryland several years before coming to Sidney, where he is associated with Cabela's. Amy was born in Maryland.

Donny likes Sidney but admits it took her a while to get used to the lack of trees. "Where are they?" she said she asked herself after arriving in western Nebraska last September. But she had gotten used to the lack of trees. "I like it" she said of Sidney. "The people are so friendly-just wonderful.

As for American food: I love it." She has especially developed a taste for soup, just about any kind of soup and enjoyed an outing to Dudes.