Good Old Days 06-13-14

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

June 6, 1914

'Many Lawn Failures By Bad Weather'

Too Much Sprinkling Causes As Many Poor Lawns as Droughts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gives valuable information on the proper care of lawns as follows: Bad watering is the cause of almost as many poor lawns as droughts, according to the landscape gardener of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Frequent watering of merely the surface of the grass, makes the roots of the grass grow near the surface, and these roots should be made to grow down as deep as possible in order to secure a fine lawn that will resist the hottest weather of summer.

The best method of watering the grass is to apply a spray for 6 to 12 hours, the stream being so gentle that water will not collect in sufficient quantities to run off. The water will then sink down into the soil and roots will grow to a greater depth. When this method is used, the lawn should not be watered more than twice a week and then the ground should be soaked, so that the water penetrates for several inches beneath the surface. As a general rule, watering once a week is sufficient to keep a lawn in good condition.

The man who enjoys watering his lawn for half an hour in the evening after returning from work will probably prefer this method to leaving the stream on for a number of hours once a week. If he will divide his lawn area in six parts and confine his attention to a different par teach evening, he will obtain practically the same results in the long run; Haphazard watering every evening is not advisable. He should be careful, also to use merely a gentle spray, and not continue watering to such an extent that water runs off, as such water does no good. In fact it may do harm, for it may remove loose dirt from the grass roots and expose them to drought. The strong stream of a hose should not be used, as if it helps to expose the roots unnecessary.

Many people wonder why drought dries up their lawns in July after they have taken what they consider to be good care of them. The combination of hot winds and dry weather makes July undoubtedly, the hardest month for lawns, and when the roots of the grass are encouraged to grow near the surface by bad watering, and loose dirt is also removed from them by a hose of strong water power, the results are more disastrous than if the lawn had been left alone.

75 YEARS AGO

June 13, 1939

'Markets Lose Ground As Demand Uncertain'

Domestic wheat markets made further declines during the week ended June 9 states the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in the weekly Grain Market Review. Improvement in North American spring wheat prospects and lower prices at Liverpool where pressure of Argentine offerings was a weakening factor were principally responsible for the decline. Feed grains, on the other hand, were generally steady. Rather poor prospects for oats strengthened the market for the grain while good industrial demand for limited offerings maintained steady markets for corn and barley.

50 YEARS AGO

June 10, 1964

'Clean-Up After Savage Hail Storm Underway; Loss Heavy'

Observers now estimate that the Monday morning hail storm in the Dalton-Gurley vicinity covered an area four miles wide and a little over 12 miles long in Cheyenne County, with 50 sections or 32,000 acres sustaining light to complete damage, averaging 70 percent loss.

25 YEARS AGO

June 6, 1989

'Nebraska Will Have Nation's Highest Gas Tax'

Nebraska will levy the highest motor fuels tax in the nation after July 1, when the state levy goes to 21.7 cents a gallon, state officials say. Increased revenues are to fund a 20-year highway improvement program. Nebraska is currently tied with Maryland with the ninth highest motor fuels tax in the country, according to Jerry Wray, statistical analyst for the Department of Roads.

An average increase of 3.2 cents a gallon was approved last week by the Nebraska Board of Equalization. The current tax is 18.5 cents a gallon. The tax is levied on gasoline, diesel fuel and Gasohol. The state tax is 3 cents a gallon lower on Gasohol. The increase will be 3.8 cents a gallon for the first quarter of the next fiscal year . The tax increase will decrease each quarter to 2.5 cents per gallon by the final quarter.

Tennessee will rank second behind Nebraska with a 21 cents a gallon tax. Nebraska with a 21 cents a gallon tax. Georgia has the lowest such tax at 7.5 cents per gallon. Industry representatives said it remains to be seen whether the higher tax will cause so-called "border bleeding" - a situation in which some long-distance truckers, and tourists, might plan routes around Nebraska to avoid the tax.

10 YEARS AGO

June 15, 2004

'Many Enjoy Gold Rush Days'

Residents turned out early to see what Sidney's first Gold Rush Day had to offer. Starting things off was the free breakfast of biscuits and gravy, orange juice and coffee hosted by the Sidney Jaycees.

While attendees enjoyed breakfast and listened to cowboy music playing from the chuck-wagon parked nearby, organizers set up the pioneer village and stage in front of the Cheyenne County Courthouse.

The village featured several displays and period reenactments. A ceremony made fresh-churned butter and served samples on fresh bread. A confectioner's booth allowed anyone to roll out there own piece of fry bread, watch it cook and top it with preserves.

Many tried their hand at the quilting rack and children enjoyed decorating sugar cookies to their liking. Many attending the celebration donned clothing resembling that period of time. Sidney City Manager Gary Person briefly spoke about the town's rough and racy past before being interrupted by a pair of rowdy characters wielding six-shooters. The rough pair was quickly chased off by Sheriff McCarty (Don Gerhig).

Local entertainment kept the stage east of the Courthouse busy throughout the day. Music styles ranged from modern rock and country western to more traditional acts.

Several people brought their collectibles to the antique appraisal fair at the Sidney Elks Lodge. Approximately 30 people stopped in with several items each to have the experts from B.E.S.T. Reality give an estimated value.

The Winning team in the historical scavenger hunt was the "Black Hills Bandits," made up of Jo Houser, Ramona Joyce and Jim Joyce. Participants in the scavenger hunt had to find 11 history-related items at different location around town for top prize of $100.

Capping the day's events was a Pioneers Pageant telling the story, "A trail Forged in Faith." The production featured music written by Sidney resident Dr. James Thayer. The only music in production that Thayer did not write were two favorite hymns of the pioneers.

Words and song were used to tell the story of the pioneers who made their way west. About 50 people, ranging in age from children to senior citizens filled out the cast. A key prop in the pageant was the replica of the handcarts that the Mormons pushed to transport their possessions to Utah. A similar cart was used to give demonstrations and rides to children during the Gold Rush Day activities Saturday.

The pageant was originally presented as a tribute to early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who trekked from Illinois to Utah during the era 1847 until the railroad arrived. It was originally written and produced as a sesquicentennial celebration of those who moved west on the Oregon and Mormon Trails.