Good Old Days 09-12-14

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

Sept. 12, 1914

'Flying Bullets Going Very Fast. They Leave Air Waves And Eddies Behind Them.'

If a photograph of a speeding bullet could be taken the print would probably show a space like a body of water marked by what looked like speeding water bugs, each leaving a ripple in its wake. Photographs of projectiles have been snapped in time of peace, but it is doubtful if the camera ever caught one as it sped on its mission of death. A bullet speeding at the rate of 3,000 feet a second, which is more than 2,000 miles an hour, makes a great disturbance in the atmosphere and creates air waves, which, of course are invisible to the naked eye.

If you draw a stick through the water it causes little eddies and waves to trail behind it. The faster you draw the stick the more waves and the wider the angle it will leave. The slower the stick is drawn the fewer waves. Just so the bullet. If it is traveling slowly no waves can be photographed, as apparently there are none. It is only objects traveling at a terrific speed that create any appreciable air waves.

Photographs of a bullet going at a rate of speed less than 1,200 feet second show no air waves at all. This is an interesting scientific discovery. But anything cutting through the air at a greater rate than this disturbs the atmosphere to such great extent that air waves are formed and can be photographed.

75 years ago

Sept. 12, 1939

'Spook Show Planned At Theatre Saturday'

We have all read the unusual and astonishing happenings that take place when Spirit Mediums get to work and bring back the ghosts of our ancestors, but few of us have witnessed such a demonstration

When Francisco comes to the Fox Theatre Saturday night, he will present hi Midnight Ghost Frolic on the stage commencing at 11:30 p.m., and unravel to local theatergoers all the mystery of spooks. This unusual stage performer promises to show that spirit slate writing demonstrates can be presented in the Midst of the audience. He will also produce spirit painting, cabinet seances and present unusual magical experiments.

Francisco warns that ghosts may appear anywhere and that may even take it into there own head to sit on top the lap of the some pretty girl. Jack Bruno, manager of the Fox Theatre, warns his patrons with a weak heart not to attend this Midnight Spook Show.

50 years ago

Sept. 12, 1964

'New Flashing Lights Now In Operation'

New flashing amber light at the intersection of 13th and Forrest streets went into operation shortly before noon on Thursday. The signal is designed to slow the north and south bound traffic and to bring to a halt at stop signs the east west drivers.

City Manager Tom Coffey points out that this intersection has long been a source of concern. Traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, is heavy at this point and, although there have not been any bad accidents there, many close calls have been reported.

"If this flashing signal does not help slow the traffic at that intersection we shall have to resort to the push button type of stoplight but can be controlled by pedestrians." Mr. Coffey said.

He explained that this device will halt traffic from all directions for a period ten seconds, enabling a person to get across the street safely. There are abuses with this type of setup, however, and it is not used absolutely necessary.

"We are hoping that drivers will excise caution when at this north entrance to the underpass," Mr. Coffey said. "The flashing lights are a reminder that we trust they will heed."

25 years ago

Sept. 11, 1989

'East German refugees flock into Hungary'

Thousands of ecstatic East German refugees poured into West Germany today after Hungary defined a Warsaw Pact ally and boldly threw open a door to the West.

"You made it!" yelled one young émigré, hitting the hood of his Wartburg minibus after arriving in the largest mass migration from East Germany since the Berlin Wall went up in 1961.

East Germany angrily denounced the exodus and accused Hungary of "Smuggling" human beings. 40 YEAR OLD LEIPZIG MAN, WHO WOULD NOT GIVE HIS NAME, said: "I decided on escaping 27 years ago, and today it worked. It's a feeling that's just tops, just wild."

Bavarian border police said more than 2,000 East German refugees mostly young couples or families with young children had crossed into the southern state of Austria by mid morning. The number was climbing rapidly.

Hungarian opened its border to the West at midnight to the East Germans, allowing the mass exodus despite efforts by die hard Communists in East Berlin to dissuade Hungary's reform minded leaders.

Hungarian radio compared the East German's noisy departure by car, bus and train to a New Year's Eve celebration "with horns blaring and people shouting." Austria said 5,000 refugees had crossed into its territory by midmorning. West Germany's ZDF television network said the total number expected to reach the west in the current exodus could be "Well over 10,000."

Thousands of East Germans had flooded Hungary on tourist visas after it tore down its border fence with Austria in May. By mid August, refugee camps were going up around Budapest.

East Germany accused Hungary of interfering in its internal affairs by allowing the mass flight and becoming the first East bloc government to help citizens of an ally freely leave their homeland. The state run news agency ADN said Hungary, under the guise of humanitarianism, "has engaged in the organized smuggling of human beings."

But while Hungary risked worsened relations with an East bloc ally, it could develop closer and potentially lucrative ties with Common Market member West Germany.

West Germany Foreign Minister Hans-Diet-rich Genscher, whose country offers East Germans automatic citizenship and help getting settled, hailed Hungary's move as representative of "its human policies."

An estimated 60,000 East Germans were in Hungary on Sunday and the Hungarian foreign minister, Gyula Horn, suggested that many more than 6,500 formally registered wanting to leave might cross into Austria.

Even as the first convoys of refugees made their way into Austria, new East German arrivals were reported at several refuge camps in Hungary.

Hungarian radio compared the East Germans' noisy departure to a New Years Celebration.

10 years ago

Sept. 11, 2004

'Scarecrow Contest Returns To Sidney'

The Scarecrows will be returning downtown later this month. The Ladies Chamber is urging the local businesses, clubs organizations schools and individuals to participate in the annual Scarecrow contest. The creations will be displayed in the downtowns Sidney, Dalton, Gurley, Lodgepole and Potter for about a month.

Cash Prizes of $125, $75, $50 and $25 will be awarded the top four entries, with another $25 going to the entry deemed Most Traditional. Scarecrows are judged on originality, construction, durability, creativity and overall appearance.