130 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1892
The Christmas entertainment at the East Point school house was made the occasion of a very pleasant surprise to Mr. A. B. Grow, whose limb was amputated several months ago. A purse of nearly $50 had been raised by his friends for the purpose of purchasing an artificial limb. At the close of the exercises the money was presented to him. This was entirely unexpected and the old gentleman arose and, in a voice choking with emotion, vainly endeavored to express his thanks.
125 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1897
Geo. Douglass and son were in the city with about the finest lot of game that has gladdened the eyes of a Nimrod in this neck of the woods for many moons. There were five deer, fifty or more grouse and a dozen jack-rabbits, that he said were secured within a week along the bluffs of the North Platte river. Three of the deer were found in a bunch, and killed about as fast as he could pump a Winchester.
120 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1902
Think of the quantity of news, instruction and entertainment presented in these columns during 1902, and then ask yourself if you can afford to do without the twice-a-week visits of the Times during the year 1903 when only $1.50 will secure all.
115 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1907
Miss Mae Keane resigned her position as stenographer with Phelan & Black last week and will assume her new duties as deputy county clerk after the first of the year.
110 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1912
Jack Darling, a barber, was arrested Saturday night, charged with being drunk. He was arrested some time ago and fined $10. but was released after guaranteeing the amount. He will now have to pay two fines or secure a friend to guarantee payment for him or go to jail.
105 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1917
While Engineer N. T. Shawver was adjusting the headlight of his engine at Ellsworth Wednesday night, he slipped and fell to the ground and sustained a broken ankle of such a severe nature that the ankle bones protruded through the flesh. The engine was of the O2 type and one of the largest on the road. Mr. Shawver is a heavy man and the force of the fall was terrific. He will be laid up for many weeks as a result of the accident.
100 Years Ago
Dec. 29, 1922
Mrs. E. Speir, 509 Cheyenne avenue, held the master key in the “Key Kontest” at Holsten’s drug store and was the winner of the 72-piece set of silverware, valued at $125.
95 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1927
When William Kase, farm hand, was arraigned before Acting Police Judge Highland on a charge of illegal possession of liquor, he declared that a bottle which he threw away when officers approached contained ginger ale. Chief of Police Horton and Officer Barnum, who arrested Kase near Danceland pavilion, have the bottle and its contents. They testified that it contained something stronger than ginger ale.
90 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1932
Charles W. Lee, 55, farmer living 1 mile west of Marsland, was instantly killed at 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the West Tenth street crossing on the Burlington railroad when he drove his car in front of the new motor-coach on No. 43. The Chevrolet coach was completely wrecked, pieces of it being scattered along the right-of-way for 600 feet north of the crossing, where the train was brought to a stop by Engineer Fred White.
85 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1937
Police and sheriff’s officers here are searching for two young men who stole a car in Hemingford and wrecked it in the ditch two miles away. The car belonged to Chet Hagen of Hemingford. After wrecking Mr. Hagen’s car, officers said, the men thumbed a ride to Alliance and were let out at the Jersey Cow filling station.
80 Years Ago
Dec. 29, 1942
Joseph Chandler, a transient 32 years old, met death by suffocation at Pete Manawell’s used car lot Saturday night. The body was discovered by Mr. Manawell at nine o’clock Sunday morning. Mr. Manawell gave him employment. Chandler had been at work four days and Saturday night apparently went into a room at the Manawall business place to sleep. Chandler’s body was on the floor near the door. The mattress was smoldering and evidently had caught fire from a cigarette.
75 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1947
In order to save a very few steps a number of local citizens living north and east of the county court house are wearing a path across the lawn at the east side of the building. Guy Manley, court house janitor and grounds keeper, has put up “keep off the grass” signs on two occasions. The signs, he disclosed, have been removed by the short-cutting citizens.
70 Years Ago
Dec. 30, 1952
Box Butte County was operated in an efficient manner, money-wise during the year ending September 30, 1952, the annual state auditor’s report showed. Assistant State Auditor Elgie Bute of Lincoln today came to Alliance to meet with commissioners and present the annual report resulting from an audit taken of county offices which collect and pay out monies in the operation of county business.
65 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1957
Box Butte County Saturday filed a brief with the State Supreme Court asking the court to reverse a Box Butte County District Court decision involving the county levy.
The brief, filed by Clark G. Nichols, Box Butte county attorney, said the District Court ruled that 1953 and 1954 taxes levied by the County Board of Equalization on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad were in excess of the maximum provided by law.
60 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1962
Postmaster Paul Kosmicki and his staff at the Alliance Postoffice are busy getting ready for the new postal rate increase which will become effective January 7.
55 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1967
The annual meeting of the Box Butte County Agricultural Society revealed that the 1967 Box Butte County fair showed a small profit and four directors were elected. All 1967 officers were reelected for the coming year and include Vince Rosenberger, chairman; Judson Cornette, vice-chairman; George Osborne, secretary, and R.P. Stewart, treasurer.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1972
An investigation of two break-ins in Hemingford early Wednesday is continuing today. Village Police Chief Alvie Wilkins reported that Shaver’s Pharmacy and Rosenberger’s Sundries were broken into in an apparent quest for drugs.
45 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1977
The Alliance Planning Commission, expressing its support for a proposal to build an experimental duplex-townhouse unit here voted Tuesday night to consider a change in the city’s construction ordinances to allow the experimental type of construction. The variance was requested since Alliance ordinances prohibit residential construction without a setback from property lines.
40 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1982
Sen. Sam Cullan said he doesn’t know how the rumor got started, but will try to set the record straight when he and the Western Technical Community College Area governing board members can get together. The “rumor” was speculation that Cullan might propose legislation in the upcoming session to consolidate the state and community college systems. Cullan originally scheduled a meeting with board members for Monday afternoon in Hemingford. In a telephone interview, he said he canceled the meeting in order to attend Nebraska Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Clinton’s funeral in Sidney Monday.
35 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1987
The Christmas snow storm of 1987 is over, at least for the time being, but it has left at least 14 inches of snow on the streets and roads of Box Butte County. Charles Esmeier, official in charge of the National Weather Service in Alliance, said the snow is the result of one system.
30 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1992
According to Friends of Carhenge President Paul Phaneuf, a thirty-year-old holiday tradition will be revived in Alliance New Year’s weekend. Winter Fest, a community-wide event featuring a Christmas tree bonfire and music will be held at Carhenge Sunday, Jan. 3.
25 Years Ago
Dec. 29, 1997
“It was not as bad as I would have thought,” Jodi Kirkpatrick said. “It helped knowing others who had been there. I knew what to expect.” Kirkpatrick spent six months in the Antarctic last summer while working for Antarctic Support Associates.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 2002
Becci Thomas, curator of the Knight Museum and former Alliance Board of Education member, has been chosen Alliance’s “Person of the Year” for 2002. Family and friends submitted Thomas’ nomination in recognition of her contributions to the community through preservation of local heritage and history, and its continuing development as a showcase for the community.
15 Years Ago
Dec. 29, 2007
Dustin Williams and Ben Lafferty help with the continuing construction of Wild Flower Terrace at 25th and Box Butte. The apartment building is being built to help the housing needs of Alliance seniors.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1012
Frank Thompson, Olympic shooter, has been chosen as Alliance’s “Person of the Year” for 2012.
5 Years Ago
Dec. 27, 2017
The Alliance Fire Department responded to a fire on Christmas morning. The call was received at 10:52 a.m., firefighters arriving at the scene at 10:58 a.m. in the A Row of Trailerville. The 18 foot trailer house camper was fully engulfed once the department arrived, estimating damages at about $20,000. There were no injuries caused by the fire.