130 Years Ago
Nov. 4, 1892
A. J. Simonson’s little boy fell down the cellar steps one day last week and the scalp was very seriously cut, the wound extending from ear to ear around the back of the head. Dr. Smith attended the child’s injuries.
125 Years Ago
Nov. 12, 1897
Another incident of horror goes into the history of this division of the Burlington. It occurred last Monday night at about eleven o’clock, and the loss of the lives of Engineer H. C. Simpson and Fireman Ed. M. Robinson resulted. They took charge of Engine 186 at Crawford, relieving Engineer Harnley and Fireman Nelson. The train, in charge of Conductor O. E. Burke, started out as a double-header with186 in the lead as helper, and Franklin with the 269 next to the train. The train was going at a slow rate and had not proceeded over three miles from Crawford when a terrific explosion ensued, shattering the glass and filling the cab of the second engine with flying gravel and sand. The train was brought to an abrupt standstill, and when Engineer Franklin and his fireman looked out the front engine had vanished. The boiler of the 186 had exploded turning end for end and lighting on the track more than a hundred feet ahead. The unfortunate men in the cab of the front engine had been thrown still ahead of this from one to two hundred feet, and the force of the explosion had been so great that the boiler was completely dismantled. Both men were instantly killed, and about half of the engineer’s head was gone.
120 Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1902
Tuesday evening Miss Clare Phelan presided as hostess for a party of sixteen guests at the Phelan residence, giving an oyster supper on account of a wager made with Mr. Steen at bowling a few evenings before. The winner is said to have been so “swelled up” over the affair that it was necessary to let his vest out several notches at the close of the evening’s entertainment.
115 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1907
Police records in every city of the country when fairly presented show that where beer supplants ardent drinks, to a large extent, as it is now doing in every direction, drunkenness is reduced to a minimum and in sections where only beer and light wines are sold there is no drunkenness, Storz Blue Ribbon Beer is a true temperance drink, containing but 3 7-10 per cent alcohol and being rich in food qualities that build muscle and brawn.
110 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1912
Judge Westover came to Alliance from Rushville to hold a special session of District Court. Two prisoners were arraigned and both entered pleas of guilty to the charges against them. Grant Hale, for keeping a gambling house, was fined $100 and costs. Fred W. Roe, for forging the name of E. A. McFall to a check, was sentenced to an indeterminate term of one to twenty years at hard labor in the penitentiary.
105 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1917
George C. Stoll and Dan Waldon escaped death by a miracle when their car turned over on the south road near the old Pat King ranch about six miles south of Alliance. In attempting to dodge a chicken in the road the car skidded and landed in the ditch. Waldon was thrown about fifty feet and the imprint of his body was left in the sod; he sustained a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder. Stoll’s face was lacerated and he had several cuts on his body as a result of crashing thru the windshield of the car.
100 Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1922
Finding the rigors of a western Nebraska near-blizzard too severe for his slipper-clad feet had none too warmly clad body, Dale Jenkins, 17 years old, self-confessed jail breaker from Yates Center, Kan., gave himself up to Sheriff Miller, stating that he was “cold, broke and hungry” and asking for food and shelter.
95 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1927
With the suspected poisoning of Sam McCormick, 33, the widow Hattie McCormick and Francis Carroll, alleged soul-mate of Mrs. McCormick, were arrested and charged with the murder of McCormick. C. C. Clark of the state sheriff’s office was detailed by Mr. Condit to assist local officers in running to earth every possible piece of evidence in connection with McCormick’s death. Attending physicians suspected arsenic poisoning as the direct cause of McCormick’s death.
90 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1932
Testimony in the $50,000 Thomas damage suit reached a conclusion in district court this forenoon. Rufus K. Thomas, administrator for the estate of Tiny Avery Thomas, deceased, asks $50,000 damages from Perrin C. Courtright and the Donald Grocery Company of Grand Island, Neb., for the death of Mrs. Thomas on December 19, 1931. Mrs. Thomas died a short time after being struck by an auto driven by Mr. Courtright at the intersection of Sixth and Niobrara. The driver is a traveling representative of the grocery house which is owner of the auto. According to testimony Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were crossing the street shortly after six o’clock in the evening. Both were struck but Mr. Thomas was not injured. Mrs Thomas passed away a few minutes after reaching the hospital where she was taken in an auto driven by Harry Seiffert who was on his way home and happened to pass the scene of the accident just as it occurred. Mr. Reddish is attorney for Mr. Thomas and the defendants are represented by Attorney P. E. Romig and Attorney Davis of Grand Island. Mrs. Thomas was the mother of seven children. The family resided on a ranch near Angora and a portion of the year made their temporary home in Alliance in order that their children might attend school here. After the fatal accident a year ago a coroner’s jury returned a verdict holding Mr. Courtright blameless for the accident, deeming that it was unavoidable.
85 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1937
Charles Pyle, jr., of Alliance has enlisted in the navy through the Scottsbluff recruiting office and has been assigned to the training station at San Diego.
80 Years Ago
Nov. 17, 1942
In the absence of a local unit of the USO to entertain soldiers, local girls and their sponsoring hostesses have been guests at the Army Base at dances the last two Saturday nights. The new recreation hall at the base affords a fine place to dance, the girls who attend report, and the music provided by an all-soldier orchestra is excellent. Mrs. Emily Hunt, who has acted as chairman in grouping the girls to attend the dances, disclosed that 150 were present at the dance Saturday night, and 170 the week before.
75 Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1947
A survey by the Lexington, Nebr. Chamber of Commerce has revealed that Alliance since 1944 has added 440 new houses and 40 new business buildings. According to the survey, Alliance’s growth surpasses most other cities in the state.
70 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1952
A tear-gas equipped safe in the office of the Boyd Motor Company thwarted a robbery during the night Friday. Chief of Police Doug Thomas reported this morning. Thieves sometime during the night entered the motor company at 511 West Third Street by breaking out a window and broke the knob off the safe. When the knob was broken and they attempted to knock out a pin from the knob, the tear gas was released. Chief Thomas said the thieves apparently made a quick retreat and nothing was missing.
65 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1957
Tom Campbell has hung up his railroad conductor uniform for the last time – and also hung up quite a record. He retired the other day after more than 54 years with the Burlington. He spent 50 of these years as a conductor. That has seldom been done, if ever, on the railroad. He went to work for the Burlington in 1903 as a brakeman, and became a conductor October 10, 1907.
60 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1962
Jack Brittan, Alliance insurance agent, was named temporary chairman of Alliance Diamond Jubilee Committee. Brittan outlined proposed plans for the event and named Keith Kemper of the Times-Herald to head the committee in charge of publishing an historical book and in charge of souvenirs. Brittan also named a special committee to work on a diamond jubilee emblem for use throughout 1963 with Leonard Glarum as chairman.
55 Years Ago
Nov. 17, 1967
Gov. Norbert Tiemann addresses a crowd of about 400 at the Nebraska – Wyoming Wheat Growers Association banquet at the Community Building. Patrice Annette Herboldsheimer is the 1968 State Wheat Queen. Runner up is Cynthia Sullivan, and Second Runner up is Cynthia McVicker.
50 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1972
Announcement was made at the Selective Service office here, today of the entry into military service of four men. They are: William M. Longacre, inducted into the Army. Malvin C. Sherlock, inducted into the Army. Ralph E. Price, enlisted in the Navy. Michael N. O’Brien, enlisted in the Army.
45 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1977
High School art and drama students were united in a joint effort, under the direction of Don Clarke, drama instructor and Larry Manniein, art instructor to add a missing ingredient to an upcoming high school play, “A Mid Summer Night’s Dream.” To complete the image of the character Bottom, a self-centered, simple minded lover who turns into a donkey, a hallow paper machi head of the animal was constructed to fit the head of actor Kent Colwell.
40 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1982
An estimated 300 persons attended the annual Alliance Chamber of Commerce Farmer/Rancher Appreciation Day banquet held Monday night. The annual event is held each year to honor those in the agricultural field and to show the importance of agriculture in Box Butte County and to the city of Alliance. Dick Kimbrough, farm wit and humorist from Doane College in Crete, was the guest speaker.
35 Years Ago
Nov. 17, 1987
Constance Cruickshank, who taught music to several generations of Alliance residents, continues to share her talents in her role as a Retired Senior Volunteer by accompanying the singers of chapel services at Good Samaritan Health Care Center.
30 Years Ago
Nov. 17, 1992
Spanky’s Kids Clothes will open for business Wednesday, November 18th at 204 West 3rd in Alliance. The store will feature brand new merchandise, including holiday fashions for infants – preteen. There will be many brand names to choose from, such as Buster Brown, Bugle Boy, Wee Bok and Ocean Pacific. The store’s location is in the old Sears building.
25 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1997
The Romney Group will begin telemarketing in Alliance using the call center previously occupied by Advanced Database Marketing. Chris Dalley, vice president of the Romney Group operations said “The greatest strength of the Alliance community is the work ethic of the people.”
20 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 2002
Alliance native Sharon Groskopf’s eclectic collection of stuffed bears are on display at the Alliance Public Library during November as the library celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Teddy bear. “My very first Teddy bear, minus an ear and eye, is included in the display. It is well-loved.” Groskopf stated. A registered nurse at Box Butte General Hospital, Groskopf collects angels and frogs, in addition to teddy bears, and enjoys painting, gardening and crocheting.
15 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 2007
Residential Program Coordinator Delina Farrell has been with the Nebraska Boys Ranch since Oct. 1. She sets goals and assists the individual boys ages 12-18, in reaching those program goals. Many of them need to learn transition skills that will move them into independent living in college, vocational schools or work situations beyond the Boys Ranch.
10 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 2012
The Times-Herald announces the hiring of a new staff member. Aaron Wade will begin working as the Director of Newspaper Operations. Wade is originally from Hemingford and a 1998 graduate of Hemingford High School. He attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney, receiving his degree in sports communications. He also studied multimedia and graphic design.
5 Years Ago
Nov. 18, 2017
Lynnette Kiss’ fifth grade class at Grandview Elementary received quite a surprise last Friday, Nov. 10. Not only did the class receive a visit from Alliance Police Chief John Kiss, and Air Force veteran, but they also had an opportunity to talk with someone currently deployed in Afghanistan – their son, Captain Brandon Kiss, serving in the United States Air Force.