130 Years Ago
Dec. 16, 1892
A party consisting of W. Chambers, of Hyannis, a man from Goodstreak, and a boy were hunting grouse in the sand hills thirty miles southwest of here when a most distressing accident happened. The boy handed his gun to Chambers, and asked him to put it in the buggy. The gun went off and about half of Chambers’ hand and wrist were blown off. Doctors decided that his hand could not be saved and an amputation about half way between the wrist and elbow was performed. He is now resting as well as could be expected.
125 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 1897
The board of education held an adjourned regular meeting this week. It was decided that the school should close next Thursday, and open again Monday. The board discussed the advisability of discontinuing school at once on account of the illness of the daughter of E. G. Moon with scarlet fever, but decided not to do so. She was taken suddenly sick at school Monday, and the next day her illness developed into a case of scarlet fever. However it is not of malignant form, and no infection is expected.
120 Years Ago
Dec. 16, 1902
There was a change in the management of the saloon here this week. Elmer Soder and Louie Luft have accepted positions with Mr. Nelson and will have charge during the absence of Mr. Nelson.
115 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 1907
Word comes to Alliance that Geo. A. Hills, who was taken to the Norfolk asylum a few weeks ago, apparently hopelessly insane seems to have entirely recovered, and will be back to Alliance soon to resume his business. George’s recent letters are entirely lucid and the Superintendent of the asylum writes that he believes his recovery will be entire and permanent.
110 Years Ago
Dec. 17, 1912
The Central school, the oldest and largest building in Alliance, was completely destroyed by fire shortly before daybreak Tuesday morning. The fire is supposed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion in the coal bins in the basement of the northwest wing of the building.
105 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1917
A confirmed report has been issued that two enlisted men who left Alliance last Saturday night with the local contingent were placed under arrest at Fort Logan as German spies. The men are not known here as they came from other states and enlisted at the Alliance recruiting office.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 15, 1922
The A. H. Jones company of Alliance distributors of Reo and Maxwell cars, has just received a carload of new Maxwells that are now open to inspection on the company’s show room floor. All of the 1923 models are shown, including a new sport model, which is a mighty “classy” car and a fine addition to the Maxwell line.
95 Years Ago
Dec. 16, 1927
A kitchen range exploded in the Fay Allen home on Missouri and two of the little Allen boys were severely burned. Dr. Lee Farmer dressed their burns and he says they are not serious. The water front in the stove had frozen and a fire was started without knowledge of the frozen pipe. The steam burst the front, blowing the lids of the stove and all the glass from the kitchen windows.
90 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 1932
Fire that started toward the east end of the basement and swept through the lower part of the H. J. Ellis building at Fifth and Box Butte destroyed the contents and flooring and menaced the offices of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company on the second floor. Had the blaze not been brought under control with dispatch by the volunteer fire fighters the entire block would have been jeopardized.
85 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1937
For 300 underprivileged children of Alliance, 12 years old and younger, dreams of a turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas day will come true. Not only will they get turkey, but they will be treated to a movie in the new Alliance theatre. Making the dinner possible will be George Milburn, cafe proprietor, and a group of cooperating merchants, while Jim Hughes manager of the theatre, will provide the picture entertainment.
80 Years Ago
Dec. 15, 1942
In an accident at the locomotive turntable in the Burlington roundhouse, Charles H. Chamberlain, 27, a machinists’ helper, was fatally crushed under the pilot of a locomotive. Dr. G. J. Johnston, who was called immediately, stated that Chamberlain suffered a crushed chest, arms and hips. He was unconscious, but still breathing when Dr. Johnston arrived. He died in the ambulance en route to the hospital.
75 Years Ago
Dec. 16, 1947
Alliance police arrested Glenn Buss, 27, of Lincoln, on suspicion of breaking and entering two Alliance residences earlier last night. He was arrested at the depot. Police are also investigating a break-in at the Legion club which resulted in the theft of an unknown amount of money in a big “piggy-bank” and from two broken slot machines.
70 Years Ago
Dec. 15, 1952
Danny Jordan, of Alliance, son of Mrs. Hattie Jordan, today was announced as a Rhodes Scholarship winner after taking final examinations in Spokane, Wash. He will enter Oxford University at London, England, next fall. The music major was chosen by the state committee because of his ability in the field in which he is majoring.
65 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1957
News has been received here from the U. S. Navy of the death of Jack Mabin, aviation machinist, in an accident aboard the aircraft carrier Bennington at sea off Southern California. Young Mabin graduated from Alliance High School with the class of 1956 and enlisted in the Navy last April. He worked part time as a student at The Times-Herald. The seaman was spotting aircraft on the carrier’s deck when he was struck by a spinning propeller of an AD-6 Sky raider, according to the Navy report.
60 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1962
Larry Peltz, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Peltz, is in St. Joseph’s Hospital following an accident at his home, 655 East 8th Street. Larry fell down the basement stairs backwards. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital by the Alliance Emergency Unit. This morning X-rays were taken and, according to the attending physician, he has a concussion and a possible neck injury.
55 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1967
Four gift certificates were given away by Alliance merchants. Mrs. Emma Fallbeck received the $10 certificate; Marcia Walter, $15; Pearl Strong, $25; and Grace Irwin, $50. Merchants participating included: Famous, Montgomery Ward, Hatch Drug, Hested’s, L. B. Murphy Co., Tri-State Supply, Woolworth’s, Howard and Lenla’s, Penney’s and Coast-To-Coast.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1972
The 3-story brick home at 124 Niobrara was demolished by Dick Ellis for its present owner, Dean Harris. Its previous owner for a number of years was the late Alford E. Lee. It was built as a home in about 1900 with a primary construction material being brick kilned in Alliance. Later it was divided into three apartments. The building at the rear was used as an A & W Root Beer Stand at one time.
45 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1977
Northwestern Bell has announced the appointment of a new manager for the telephone office in Alliance. R. B. (Bob) Jensen will replace Jack Tubbs, who has accepted an engineering and network position in Omaha.
40 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1982
In an action which more accurately reflects operational and marketing reality, the Electric Hose and Rubber Company sign positioned on the front of the facility located on Nebraska 2 just east of Alliance, has been removed and replaced by a new sign bearing only the name, “Dayco.”
35 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 1987
A rocket that lit up the skies over Nebraska and prompted numerous calls to authorities from those who saw the mysterious light show was used to launch a Soviet communications satellite, officials said. National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Byrd said the bright flashes of light were seen over Nebraska between 8:50 p.m. and 9 p.m. CST Saturday.
30 Years Ago
Dec. 15, 1992
Last Thursday night, Alliance residents who were outside saw something which aroused their curiosity. Through the night sky flew the messages “Holiday Greetings from the Abbott Bank,” “Season’s Greetings from Heartland Aviation,” and “Come Fly This Month with Bob and Larry.” Jeff Jensen, certified FAA mechanic and owner of Heartland Aviation, said what Alliance residents saw was a test flight of a “computer-programmable lighted sky sign.”
25 Years Ago
Dec. 12, 1997
Two Alliance choir students will have the chance to perform with students from five other states this spring. Tammy Haslow and Lisa Broad have been chosen to sing in the North Central Women’s Choir in Minneapolis, Minn. The choir combines 20 high school students from each of six states; Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 2002
The extensive angel collection of Alliance resident Helen Kienzle is gracing both display cases at the Alliance Public Library this Holiday Season. Kienzle was given her first angel in 1962. Although admittedly partial to her crystal angels, Kienzle loves every angel in her collection.
15 Years Ago
Dec. 14, 2007
Several Box Butte General Hospital employees were recognized at the hospital’s annual Recognition Banquet at the Eagles Club. More than 200 employees and spouses attended. Kim Galyen was named the hospital’s Employee of the Year. Sally Bryner received the Nebraska Hospital Association’s Caring Kind Employee of the Year award.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 2012
Traci Clarke, LPN-C, was voted Box Butte General Hospital Employee of the Year. Clarke, a nurse in BBGH Patient Care Unit (and in surgery whenever needed), was presented with a plaque during the annual Recognition Dinner.
5 Years Ago
Dec. 13, 2017
Preston Walls lifts 640 pounds during the dead- lift portion of the Winter Push/Pull Classic hosted at the Cardio Connection Fitness Center. The event saw competitors pushing their limits in bench and in dead-lift, giving them three attempts at each portion of the competition.