130 Years Ago
May 17, 1895
The mind of H. W. Starlin, the veterinary surgeon, became deranged several days ago, and after performing a variety of antics, he was adjudged insane and taken to the asylum at Norfolk. We hope his trouble will prove only temporary.
125 Years Ago
May 18, 1900
The following are new ‘phones placed since issuing the directory, and which list should be retained by patrons of the system: Barry house, office, 186; Litchfield, W. L., residence, 145; Noleman, R. C., office, 180; VanBoskirk, J. R., office, 137.
120 Years Ago
May 19, 1905
Words will not convey the regret of the many friends of Conductor Arthur Gordon at an accident that befell him last night at nine o’clock in Alliance yards. He was making ready to take No. 46, freight, out, and on account of the “sticking” of an air-brake was running alongside a car, “bleeding” the air-valve. His glove caught on the wire and he was turned partially around in such a way as to lose his balance, and in falling a pair of trucks caught and passed over his foot, crushing the heel and instep frightfully.
115 Years Ago
May 20, 1910
Alliance is to have another moving picture show, same to be opened to the public next Monday evening, in the building recently occupied by Beale Bros. The proprietor is E. Becker. He is new to the business, but states to the writer that he proposed to run a clean show, and that no pictures would be shown, or vaudeville allowed, that could possibly offend the most refined.
110 Years Ago
May 18, 1915
To assist in the restoration of prosperity in Alliance the merchants of the city have set aside the week May 17 to 22 as “pay-up” week. Each merchant has launched a campaign of advertising to make the week a success. The object is to urge all debtors to wipe out all old accounts. The resultant transfer of cash will be an impetus to business that will make possible the expansion of all business.
105 Years Ago
May 18, 1920
The nominal sum of $1 was awarded by a jury in district court Friday night to John D. Hagerty in the latter’s claim for $34,000 against the estate of his father, John Hagerty, who died two years ago leaving ranch holdings in the vicinity of Broadwater valued at approximately $50,000. The plaintiff’s brother, M. H. Hagerty, who was appointed administrator of the estate following their father’s death, was the defendant in the case, which occupied five days in court last week.
100 Years Ago
May 15, 1925
Mothers’ day was observed Thursday afternoon at the telephone office. The guests were the mothers of the employees or close friends and representatives of the press. The guests were given a demonstration of the switchboard and inspected the equipment of the office, after which refreshments were served. A guessing contest was also engaged in concerning questions of the value of the equipment and plant.
95 Years Ago
May 16, 1930
Procedure to be followed by residents of Alliance and strangers in the city who desire to call in a policeman in a hurry has been explained by City Manager L. A. Goines in the belief that there may be many unfamiliar with such procedure. In a city of this size an officer cannot be kept on duty at police headquarters during the 24-hour period and the local officers frequently are on duty outside of the office, so that they are not easily available to persons who do not know what steps to follow.
90 Years Ago
May 17, 1935
Box Butte county winners of the Federal Housing Administration essay contest in which more than 100 high school students participated are Francis Toline, president of the junior class at St. Agnes academy, and Rosemary Schleppenback, a junior and officer of an English club at the academy. Each of the winners will receive $5 awards and their essays are being sent to state headquarters for the Nebraska contest.
85 Years Ago
May 14, 1940
Terry Brennan, Alliance, will leave in the custody of Sheriff D. O. Hoppes Wednesday morning to begin serving a term of 18 months in the state penitentiary for forgery. He was sentenced Monday, following an earlier plea of guilty in the district court, by Judge E. L. Meyer. Brennan issued a check for $18.60 signed with the name “W. J. Heinze,” believed to be fictitious.
80 Years Ago
May 18, 1945
The meat shortage arrived in Alliance this week and butchers were unanimous in the prediction the situation is likely to get worse instead of better. Meat counters, except for a few slices of cold cuts and some fish, were as clean as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. Retailers said that it is almost impossible to get any meat out of Omaha.
75 Years Ago
May 19, 1950
Location and weather conditions make Alliance the ideal site for the proposed National Air Academy. That was the statement Thursday of Lyle O’Rourke, Washington attorney representing the Panhandle city’s bid for recognition. They point out these advantages: 1. Alliance is approximately in the center of the United States. This make travel easier and removes the air school from immediate danger of attack.
70 Years Ago
May 17, 1955
Farmers in most of Box Butte County had ear-to-ear grins today as they looked at fields saturated by rain Monday. In fact, everybody took a more cheerful view of life as the rain added up to a total of 1.87 inches in Alliance during a 24-hour period. This amount was recorded at the city power plant. Even more fell to the west and north.
65 Years Ago
May 17, 1960
Alliance police and county authorities are looking for a person or persons who stole a car here and later wrecked it just north of town Monday night. Keith Nelson of Alliance, owner of the vehicle, reported to the police department at 8:55 that his car was missing from in front of the Drake Hotel. Nelson told police had parked it there about 8 p.m. and had gone into the hotel to eat dinner.
60 Years Ago
May 17, 1965
An Alliance probationary police officer, Mickey G. House, 22, was involved in an accident with a Police Car at 10:05 p.m. Saturday at East Third and Missouri. As a consequence of the accident, House was summoned into Justice Court today and fined $10 plus $4 costs for driving with no operator’s license. He had moved here from Kansas several months ago and had a Kansas driver’s license in his possession.
55 Years Ago
May 18, 1970
St. Joseph’s Hospital has been informed that the institution continues to meet the requirements for participation under the Health Insurance Benefits Program for the Aged (Medicare). Recently state representatives were in Alliance to give the entire plant of St. Joseph’s a thorough check. This has to be done at least every two years according to Jim Houska, administrator.
50 Years Ago
May 16, 1975
Representatives of Safeway, Inc., have asked the Box Butte County Commissioners by telephone for tax relief on the company’s property between Missouri and Mississippi from 3rd to 4th streets. The telephone conversation occurred Thursday morning during a meeting of the commissioners to review and approve claims.
45 Years Ago
May 19, 1980
The National Weather Service reported early Monday that the cloud of volcanic ash from Sunday’s eruption of Mr. St. Helens in Washington spread eastward overnight and early morning as far east as central Montana and northwest Wyoming. Upper level winds were such that the cloud of volcanic ash was turning southeast at around 20 mph and would most likely reach over areas of western Nebraska Monday afternoon and into Monday evening.
40 Years Ago
May 18, 1985
Every day, before Florence Chandler, 99, begins her house work, she sits down in her kitchen rocking chair loaded with cushions to read her Bible lesson – at 4 a.m. “This morning I was reading John 14. “This is how I get through my day,” she said. When she is finished reading her Bible, she cleans her house. “I like to get through before the sun gets up.
35 Years Ago
May 18, 1990
City Council Approves New Salaries For Themselves: It took the Alliance City Council less than 60 seconds Thursday night to boost their annual salary for the first time in 20 years. The council, without opposition or discussion, approved a new annual salary for the mayor of $1,800, while the remaining council members will received $1,200 per year.
30 Years Ago
May 16, 1995
During its regular meeting Monday night the Alliance School Board rescinded the transfer of Emerson elementary teacher Karen Rhoads to the middle school. Mrs. Rhoads would have worked in the middle school computer lab. The vote to rescind the decision was unanimous. Several parents were present at the meeting to express their dissatisfaction with the transfer and to express their wishes for a computer-qualified person to be placed in the computer lab.
25 Years Ago
May 17, 2000
What is the main problem with the reading programs in schools today? Not learning to read at all, or lack of reading practice? Sherri Petersen, Alliance Middle School teacher, asked the Alliance Rotary Club that question during the civic club’s Monday noon meeting at West Way Restaurant. Surprisingly, her answer was not that children weren’t learning to read, but that they lacked reading practice.
20 Years Ago
May 19, 2005
The investigation into the arson fire that did about $250,000 to the Military Museum and its contents early Saturday morning, May 7, is ongoing. Alliance Police Chief John Kiss stated yesterday. “We certainly need the help of the community in solving this case,” he said. “Don’t assume we already know something.” He stated they are continuing to follow up on leads and so far there are no developments that he is able to share with the public.
15 Years Ago
May 20, 2010
On Monday, May 24, at the Alliance High School library, the public have an opportunity to voice questions and concerns about the proposed performing arts center addition to Alliance High School. Proposed plans brought forth at a March meeting of the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education show the addition to have a 750-seat auditorium with a stage, as well as a commons area, a new servery, a cafeteria/study hall area, video conferencing capabilities, restrooms, a scene shop, a loading dock, a new entry, maximized parking and utility improvements.
10 Years Ago
May 20, 2015
The city of Alliance Visitors Bureau, local businesses, Alliance attractions and the Alliance Chamber of Commerce are presenting the 2015 “Passport to Alliance” contest as part of continuing efforts in “Building the Best Hometown in America.®” “Passport to Alliance” is a scavenger hunt/trivia contest. Participants take a passport to attractions in our community and locate answers to the 18 questions from the passport.
5 Years Ago
May 20, 2020
After being allowed to delay his official designation in order to stay on the county’s health insurance plan, Jon Worthman, the Box Butte County Public Defender, submitted his resignation to the commissioners, leaving the spot open as the county continues the search for someone to fill the position.
*Compiled from The Alliance Times-Herald Archives by Christine Melcher