130 Years Ago
May 19, 1893
Joseph Nutcher who was captured near here several weeks ago with stolen horses, and taken to Wyoming, has succeeded in escaping from the Landler jail. Together with three other prisoners he overpowered the guard, armed themselves, secured mounts at a livery stable and rode out of town in broad daylight. They headed for the mountains closely pursued by a posse of citizens, but recapture is doubtful.
125 Years Ago
May 13, 1898
Mr. E. Murphy and Miss Sadie Griffin were united in marriage at Hemingford last Saturday evening, both being of this city. The groom is employed at the depot, and a pleasant and popular young man, while the bride is to all appearances a very deserving and unassuming lady, who recently made Alliance her home. Times Congratulates.
120 Years Ago
May 19, 1903
C. R. Fuller, Alliance’s photographer, entered a set of twelve portraits from his gallery in competition at the State Photographers’ association, which was held in Lincoln last week. He received notice yesterday that the first prize in Class A had been awarded him for meritorious work, and will soon have a handsome silver medal as proof of his artistic superiority.
115 Years Ago
May 19, 1908
About thirty soldiers from Fort Omaha were through here Sunday, destined for Seattle and from there sail to Alaska. Valdaz is their objective point and they are concerned with the construction of about 1,400 miles of telegraph line which the government is putting in there this year.
110 Years Ago
May 16, 1913
The E. A. Reck ranch, sixteen miles southeast of Alliance, was visited by a tornado Monday night, about seven o’clock that completely demolished the barn, unroofed the house, twisted the windmill into a hopeless tangle, spun several small outbuildings into the air shattering them on the ground of a nearby field, and left as suddenly as it appeared doing no further damage in that section.
105 Years Ago
May 17, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. Hendeson of Duncan’s addition, were returning home from the show Tuesday night and while he went to the post office she started out in advance. When in the extreme east portion of the city she stated that a man attacked her. She screamed and fought until her husband, who was but a block behind, hastened to her side and the culprit ran into an alley and made good his escape.
100 Years Ago
May 15, 1923
Friday afternoon an irate woman appeared before the county attorney with the complaint that some low-down cuss had taken her lavender undies off the line in her back yard. The county attorney sympathized with her as best he knew how, but he couldn’t lend much assistance. Finally he conferred with the sheriff and a search warrant was suggested. “I’ll issue it,” said the county attorney, “if you’ll agree to serve it.” The sheriff beat a hasty retreat. He said he had troubles enough without attempting anything like that. The undies are pure silk, lavender in color and hand embroidered in front. If you happen to see them you might tell the sheriff.
95 Years Ago
May 15, 1928
A. J. Pickerell and his 4-year-old son, James, were hit by a car driven by A. R. Cloe at the Second street crossing on Box Butte at 8:30 p. m. Saturday and injured. Mr. Pickerell was carried for several feet by the bumper of Cloe’s car, according to County Attorney Romig, who was an eye-witness to the accident. The small boy escaped serious injury when he narrowly missed being run over by the wheels of the auto, although the machine passed over him. Cloe, who is a ranchman living southeast of the city, was placed under arrest by police and County Attorney Romig has filed a complaint charging driving an auto while intoxicated.
90 Years Ago
May 16, 1933
A trip to the world’s fair without one cent’s cost for expenses to the lads themselves or their parents. That’s what’s in store for the dozen or so boys who are now at work getting a few subscribers to the Times-Herald in return for that free trip for them to Chicago in July.
85 Years Ago
May 17, 1938
W. M. Beach of 724 Big Horn, retired after 40 years with the Burlington railroad, has his future plans all mapped out. In his own words, he will “just loaf, travel and work in my flower garden, with the assistance of my general manager.” He identified the “general manager” as Mrs. Beach.
80 Years Ago
May 18, 1943
Last night the air base guards, under the direction of Lieut. Wayne Thompson, noticed a glare of light at the McLaughlin place a mile distant. Promptly, three fire trucks and a tank truck were released from the base fire department and they went to the Wright farm. Arrived there they found a small barn a mass of flames. When the fire was out and all danger of its spreading was over, the firemen wondered what had happened to the farmer. They aroused him from a sound sleep and told him his barn had burned down.
75 Years Ago
May 18, 1948
John Miller, 33, a farm laborer, is charged with robbing $314 from George Spalos, a tenant farmer who lives near Alliance. Complicating the matter, Miller filed a civil suit against Spalos seeking $25,000 damages. In the damage suit petition it is stated that Spalos stabbed Miller, causing the loss of his left eye. Spalos related that on Febr. 6 he parked his car near the Second street – Niobrara avenue intersection, and went to the Shamis tavern. When he prepared to go home at about midnight, his car would not start. Miller drove up in his car and offered to give him a ride to the Tom Stalos farm east of highway No.2 overpass where Spalos lived. Spalos declared that Miller was drunk, turned his car on the slaughter-house road, and parked. “He pulled me out…he say, I am going to kill you tonight…he hit me on the eye and nose,” Spalos testified. Spalos said that he picked up two beer bottles which had been lying in front of Miller’s car, and struck Miller in the face with one of them. The force of the blow caused the bottle to break, he said. Miller continued to hit him, Spalos said, and finally knocked him unconscious. Spalos said that when he regained consciousness he found that Miller was gone, and his billfold was missing.
70 Years Ago
May 15, 1953
The Alliance schools received a rating of outstanding and certificate of award were issued for four pieces of work entered in the Sixth annual All-State Elementary School Art Exhibit sponsored by the University of Nebraska. The exhibit was held at the Miller and Paine Auditorium in Lincoln. The four Alliance students receiving certificates of award were Sandra Smith 5, kindergarten pupil at Grandview, who had a farm scene in crayola; Linda York, 9, fourth grader at Grandview, who had a water scene in tempora paint; Monte Hoffman, eighth grader who had a cave in charcoal; and Marian DeFrance, eighth grader who had a pencil drawing of trees.
65 Years Ago
May 20, 1958
Judy Yaryan, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Yaryan of Mullen, is in St. Joseph’s Hospital recovering from a broken arm, head injuries, burns on her legs and shock following an accident near Mullen early Sunday morning. Her condition was reported satisfactory today. Miss Yaryan probably would have been severely burned had it not been for Howard Stepp, 35 a truck driver from Terre Haute, Ind., who pulled her out of a burning car immediately following the accident.
60 Years Ago
May 20, 1963
Edwyna Williams, daughter of Mrs. Margaret Williams, was named winner of the Alliance American Association of University Women’s annual scholarship today by Mrs. Daniel Stubbs, president. Janet Chamberlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Chamberlin was named alternate.
55 Years Ago
May 17, 1968
Official circles here today praised quick action by two Alliance youths in helping rescue an aged man from his burning home here Monday night. The two boys named were Terry Pierce, 17, of 102 Sweetwater, and Gerald Fraedrich, 16, of 904 Mississippi. It was disclosed that they helped Milton Perry, 74, from his home at 117 Sweetwater before firemen arrived. Perry is in poor condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital with burns over much of his body. He had collapsed inside the front door of his home where the boys found him, the report said.
50 Years Ago
May 17, 1973
A bomb scare at the Junior High School building forced evacuation of the premises this morning, while law enforcement officials and a volunteer staff of instructors and custodial staff members searched for more than 45 minutes for the explosive. According to authorities, Rosie Wacker received a telephone call at about 9:45 a.m., while working in the office of Principal Larry Grosshans. The anonymous call stated that a bomb had been planted in the school. During the search a second call was turned in saying that the first call was a hoax. “There ain’t no bomb,” said the caller, whose voice was said to be disguised, reported Police Chief V. R. Hutton. The 45 minute loss of school time will be made up today between 2:45 and 3:30 p.m.
45 Years Ago
May 16, 1978
The new entrance into the Alco parking lot is almost completed. Construction crews are presently paving and installing curbing on Cody Avenue from 3rd Street to Kansas Street. This entrance is on the east side of the parking lot. The other entrance, off 3rd Street, is on the north side of the lot.
40 Years Ago
May 16, 1983
Graduating seniors of the St. Agnes Academy Class of 1983 flip the tassels on their mortarboards to the right side signifying their graduation from high school Saturday. Sixteen seniors were presented diplomas by Sister M. Joan Linenbrink, principal of St. Agnes, at the ceremony at the Holy Rosary Church.
35 Years Ago
May 17, 1988
The four day Just Say No Carnival last week, sponsored by the Optimist Club, McDonald’s and Kmart, brought in $1,430. The City of Alliance and H&H Sanitation has helped. According to Martin Marnett, member of the Optimist Club board of directors, funds will be used for the Just Say No program and a T-Ball league for girls 6- to 8-years old. The Optimist Club also will make a contribution to the Ronald McDonald House in Denver. That amount depends on how much the T-Ball league expenses are.
30 Years Ago
May 17, 1993
Sunday afternoon 19 students received their GED diplomas. A total of 44 students have passed the adult basic education test this year. Eva Knight made the introductions and Alan Cornish of the Alliance School Board welcomed those in attendance. Esmeragdo Nunez-Leyva offered the presentation of the class of 1993. Bob Carter and Sandra Moore of the Alliance School Board presented the diplomas to the students.
25 Years Ago
May 16, 1998
The Box Butte County Jail contains 31 cells within eight cell blocks for housing prisoners. Three cells are designated for women and are contained in one block. Currently there are 26 inmates incarcerated at the facility. Of those, two are female. Eleven individuals are awaiting sentencing or trial, 15 are serving time for various criminal activity. Box Butte County Sheriff, Dick Bauer, said numbers are above average. He said, the average inmate population a year ago was 14.
20 Years Ago
May 17, 2003
Immanuel Lutheran Little Angels Preschool graduation was celebrated Thursday at the City Park Shelterhouse, with about 200 people in attendance. 36 children graduated. After a brief program, the guests were invited to eat lunch with the children and play carnival games.
15 Years Ago
May 17, 2008
Seniors, Jason Brown, Cody Intermill, John Stabnow, Kody Schrum, Ryan Heupel and Thomas Sterkel decided to take a different transportation to school this week. Sterkel said the six decided it would be fun to ride their horses rather than drive, though they had to wake up extra early to make it to class on time. During lunch, some of the riders showed off some horsemanship skills and let other students ride their animals.
10 Years Ago
May 17, 2013
The Box Butte General Hospital Emergency Department has been certified as a Basic Level Trauma Center for greater then 10 years, and Ed staff member Larry Steele, RN, CEN, is the first to say it takes a coordinated effort by hospital and staff to maintain that certification. Steele has been Trauma Program Coordinator for the hospital over the past four years.
5 Years Ago
May 16, 2018
On Monday, Congressman Adrian Smith visited Alliance to meet with constituents, hear concerns and develop new ideas to bring back to Washington. The event was sponsored by the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, and saw a total of six people in attendance. Smith discussed a wide range of topics from healthcare reform to the economy.