Good Old Days 05-09-14

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

May 9, 1914

'Extension Of Sewer And Water Mains A Necessity'

Sidney Neb. May 4, 1914.

Board met in adjourned session. The following members present: L. Fundingsland, Chairman; J.J. McIntosh, J.J. Parks and Gus Wellner, members, L. Neubaner, Clerk.

A motion was made and carried that as the contract with the Sidney Electric Service Company for pumping city water and lightning the streets, has expired, the clerk be instructed to draw warrants for this service under old contract rate until further notice. A Motion was made and carried that as a town was expanding at a rapid rate, There was need of more water and sewer mains. The members of the Board decided to go over the matter thoroughly and devise ways and means of extending the service all over the city as soon as possible. The Clerk was instructed to notify the licensed plumbers of the city to meet with the Board at the May 15th meeting

After discussing matters relative to the proposed municipal lighting plant, the Board adjourned.

75 YEARS AGO

May 9, 1939

'Spike Day' Attracts Huge Crowd-Between Eight and Ten Thousand Here, Officials Estimate'

The old west returned to Sidney Saturday afternoon as an estimated five thousand visitors joined with residents of Sidney in celebration of Golden Spike Jubilee Day.

The crowd braved threatening weather to parade in old time costumes typical of the 1860's. It was an orderly crowd-filled with the tradition of the old west-that thronged Sidney's streets and brought back the wholesome friendliness of frontier days.

The program lived up to advance expectations. Major units were not scheduled until late afternoon-yet the crowd maintained its interest by viewing the countless window displays depicting historical day of old Sidney. Few communities in Nebraska can equal Sidney's historical background, and Sidney stores took advantage of this fact to present unusually appropriate window exhibits.

The Sidney High School band played an invaluable part in the program. It filled in the dull spots, paraded the streets to enliven the crown and headed the parade with music that kept the crowd in pace.

Saturday every man, woman and child was imbued with pioneer interest. Cowboys and cowgirls were profuse-stovepipe hats were the rule rather than the exception. Old time rigs and buggies were as common as streamlined "gasoline buggies." It was one day when Sidney forgot the present to remember the past.

The parade passed all expectations. Its three huge sections strung out for blocks and required a full hour for review. Only one serious mishap marred the parade. A stagecoach overturned after the parade had been completed, injuring Mickey Linch, its driver. Linch was treated at the Taylor hospital for injuries to his legs, cuts on the face and bruises. Two passengers in the rig escaped unhurt.

The promenade of costumes and whiskers during the afternoon was colorful and attracted a sizable audience. Old time dancing also was an interesting feature of the early afternoon. Art Zike and his educated pony and Jack and Peggy Hiett also filled in with splendid programs.

Mr. Costello and A. R. Kirkpatrick, head of the U. P. booster league, yesterday issued a general message of gratitude and appreciation for the splendid cooperation accorded them and committee members in handling all arrangements. They said the credit for the success of the day should be equally divided between committee workers, farmers and out of town residents and Sidney business and professional people who gave financial and physical support to the program.

50 Years Ago

May 8, 1964

'Local CAP Alerted In Plane Hunt'

The Sidney Civil Air Patrol was alerted this morning in the search for a plane that left Wichita, Kan., early Thursday morning, heading for Great Falls, Mont., and was to have checked at a number of points along the way, including Sidney.

Any plans for search in this area came to a halt shortly before noon when word was received that the plane had been found.

The AP report follows:

WICHITA (Associated Press) --- Four persons are dead in the crash of a small private plane flying from Wichita, Kan. To Great Falls, Mont.

Wreckage of the craft was found Friday in a field five miles north of Wichita.

The sheriff's office listed the dead as Mr. and Mrs. Archie Carver of Wichita and Carver's two brothers, Guffrey and Ralph. Guffrey Carver the pilot, operated a furniture and appliance store.

The plane took off from a private airport in Northeast Wichita at 4:07 a.m. yesterday. A farmer came upon the burned wreckage in his field today. A watch found in the debris was stopped at 4:26.

Investigators said the victims were on their way to Great Falls to visit a brother of the Carvers who is ill.

25 YEARS AGO

May 5, 1989

'Love, Appreciation Shown To Volunteers'

There are four Sidney women who are dearly loved by a class of fifth graders at Central because of their willing assistance in helping the youngsters with their reading class.

The four volunteers are Lee-Ellen Matzke, Louise Keating, Diane Merrit and Marian Heitt. They have helped with the class two or three times a week fro the past school year and according to the teacher, Kathy Merritt, the results have been outstanding. The youngsters would be given reading assistance while in groups of three or four. They and their teachers formed strong bonds and deep affection throughout this first year of the volunteer program for this particular class.

"The children have become more involved in reading and are better readers as a result of the volunteer help," Mrs. Merritt explained. "It has really helped them in the classroom. They are willing to get up and read. It has been a builder of self confidence." Mrs. Merritt beams a lot when she speaks of the class and the volunteers and her pride in the reaction of the students.

"They appreciated the dedicated help they were given and they wanted to do something for the ladies," The teacher explained. They planned a "Thank You" party for he volunteers at 10a.m. Monday and kept it all complete surprise for the four ladies. The volunteers were truly amazed and pleased when they were brought into the classroom to the sound of a loud "Thank You" from the youngsters.

The students themselves planned and prepared a menu of cake and cookies, soft drinks and coffee for the party. Necklaces and friendship bracelets were fashioned of yarn by the students and presenting bags of goodies were given to each one of the ladies.

It was all a happily tearful experience for the adults present and a joy for the students. If the expressions on their face were any indication. Mrs. Merritt explained this is the first year for the volunteer program in her classroom and, she smiled wider, "They say they're willing to come back next year."

10 YEARS AGO

May 11, 2004

'Sidney Couple Wins High Speed Vacation'

When most people travel to Florida for the first time they spend their vacation on the beach or playing in the surf. Not Ryan and Carol McElroy. When the Sidney couple arrived in the Sunshine State they were primed for some fast fun behind the wheel of high speed vehicles at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

The McElroys were winners of a sweepstakes sponsored by the Marlboro company for an all expense paid trip to the Marlboro Racing School. They entered the contest last year and were actually notified they won on Ryan's birthday in December.

The trip included three days on the track driving three very different race cars. After a little classroom time learning about the track, vehicle controls and how the cars handled, the fun started.

First up were IROC Stock Cars, 5.9 liter engined cars used in the International Race of Champions and Ford Mustangs, 1999 Coupes with a 3.8liter engine used on auto cross courses. On the second day the two jumped in the seat of Van Dieman open wheel Formula Race cars.

"When we were driving the IROCs we ran about 140 miles per hour," said Ryan McElroy. "Then we rode with the instructors and they pegged the speedometer at 190.The g-forces were really strong."

In between days circling the mile and a half track and spending time on the formula course on the infield, the McElroys were treated first class. They stayed at the Biltmore Hotel and every evening when they returned to their room surprise gifts like luggage, sun-glasses, and watches were waiting for them. A pool party and a yacht ride down Biscayne Bay were also part of the trip.

As final parting gifts the interim race car drivers were given their racing shoes, helmet and a certificate of completion at a graduation dinner. "It was a great experience, if they asked me to do it again I would," said Ryan McElroy.