130 Years Ago
May 26, 1893
A boy giving the name of Geo. Kring, was placed under arrest by City Marshal Saner on the charge of larceny. He had seen little Lulu Thompson receive $5 in silver at the First National bank and followed her nearly home, when he snatched the purse from her hand and ran away with it. He was tried before Justice Atchinson, found guilty and the money returned. He is under sixteen years of age and the state reform school will doubtless be called upon to attend to his moral welfare.
125 Years Ago
May 27, 1898
N. L. Sylvester arrived in Alliance at 3 o’clock this afternoon on a bloody horse and brings news of an encounter between John Kinkaid and Wm. and old man Case. Kinkaid was shot through the shoulder with a rifle, his left wrist badly shattered from a shotgun and has a wound in one leg so that it is feared he will die. Kinkaid was taking care of J. W. Wehn’s ranch, eighteen miles northeast and there has been bad blood between the parties some time. Medical assistance has gone out. Sylvester witnessed the fight.
120 Years Ago
May 29, 1903
Mike Riley, a sort of “rounder,” met a peculiar accident at one of the saloons Wednesday morning. He was struck a light blow by a bartender and fell to the floor. When he attempted to rise, it was found that he had sustained a fracture of the leg between the knee and the ankle, and a sprained ankle. He attaches no particular blame to anyone.
115 Years Ago
May 29, 1908
Local democrats are raising funds to give their idol, William J. Bryan, a rousing reception on his visit here next Monday, and apparently nothing is being neglected to make the affair a complete democratic success. The speaking will occur in the evening at eight o’clock from the porch of Dr. Bellwood’s residence, the handsome lawn being furnished with seats and electric lights, especially for the occasion.
110 Years Ago
May 30, 1913
It is with a great deal of pleasure that the Times presents to the people of Alliance for the first time, in this city, the likeness of the new bishop of Kearney, James A. Duffy. He will be in Alliance on Wednesday, June 18, to attend the annual graduating exercises of St. Agnes Academy.
105 Years Ago
May 31, 1918
Fined twenty-five for slapping woman. Josie Kirby, employee at the eating house east of the depot, was fined $25 and the costs for assault against Mrs. Sharp, police matron of the city of Alliance. She paid the fine and was released.
100 Years Ago
May 29, 1923
Seed potatoes treated with corrosive sublimate, a deadly poison, were taken from O’Bannon & Neuswanger’s cellars at the edge of town Sunday night and the supposition is that they were taken for table use. The owners state that they do not seriously object to the loss of the two bushels of potatoes, but that these were treated for planting and will bring fatal results to the person or persons eating them.
95 Years Ago
May 29, 1928
Sunday evening between 8 and 9:30 o’clock, robbers entered the McClelland pharmacy, owned by Dr. E. E. McClelland, 117 Box Butte, and made their escape with jewelry valued at approximately $70 and rifled the cash register of about $1.50 in small change.
90 Years Ago
May 30, 1933
J. C. Penney, head of the nationwide chain of department stores bearing his name, is scheduled to pay the J. C. Penney CO. store here a visit according to advice received by E. M. Stephens, store manager here. It would take Mr. Penney over four and a half years to see all of the 1484 units in the chain.
85 Years Ago
May 31, 1938
Mrs. Ruth Sullenberger’s record of 50 years of service as the Marsland correspondent for the Times-Herald is recognized in the current issue of “Folks,” a magazine for country correspondents. Before coming to this region Mrs. Sullenberger had written for 12 years for the Republican at Marengo, Ia. She is 85 years old.
80 Years Ago
May 28, 1943
Fire of undetermined origin burned the roof on the mess hall of the 1st battalion, 507th Paratroopers, Army Air Base, at 3:30 Thursday afternoon. When the fire was discovered the Paratroopers got on the roof and had the fire under control by the time the air base fire department got on the scene.
75 Years Ago
May 28, 1948
Jack Bartels, 16-year-old Chadron Prep student who saved a companion from drowning late last month, was presented an engraved watch by the Chadron Senior and Junior Chambers of Commerce. Inscribed on the watch were these words: “Presented to Jack Bartels – in grateful recognition for saving the life of a friend, April 1948.” Bartels had dived in three times before he finally rescued George Konrath. Jack Bartels and his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Bartels are former residents of Alliance.
70 Years Ago
May 30, 1953
Five St. Agnes Academy eight graders were the winners of year-end honors during the final week of school. Milton Wilson, American Legion citizenship award, Nancy Beal, Legion Auxiliary citizenship award; Donald Dilion, DAR history award; Rosemay Reynolds, scholarship for the girls, and Pat Kosmicki, scholarship for boys.
65 Years Ago
May 31, 1958
News has been received here that Paul W. Thompson of New York, formerly of Alliance, received a high honor this week from the French government. Thompson, who is general manager of the Readers Digest international editions, was promoted to the rank of officer of the Legion of Honor at a luncheon in his honor at the Hotel St. Regis, New York City.
60 Years Ago
May 31, 1963
Larry Christensen has joined the news staff of The Daily Times-Herald as sports editor, Publisher Gene Kemper announced today. Christensen, a graduate of Alliance High School, began work today. He also attended Chadron State College. Christensen is married to the former Kay Reitz of Alliance and they are the parents of a 9-month old son, Scott. The Christensens live at 315 West 11th. The news sports editor lettered in football, basketball, track and golf at Alliance High School and played football at CSTC. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. (Bud) Christensen of Alliance. Mrs. Christensen is the daughter of County Assessor and Mrs. John Reitz.
55 Years Ago
May 31, 1968
The Newberry Hardware Company, Alliance’s oldest business, will grow no older. The firm has advertised that a close-out sale which has been underway since early this spring will conclude on Saturday. Founded in 1888 by the late C. A. Newberry, a tinner who arrived on the first Burlington train, the firm prospered and branched into manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing. Mr. Newberry died March 31, 1932. The firm then was headed by his son, the late Norman Newberry who died in January 1943. Since that time F. B. Girard, a son-in-law of the founder, has headed the operation. While the name Newberry is being retired, a department of the firm will continue. It already is in operation at the southeast corner of the “Newberry Tin Shop” building at 315 ½ Laramie. Called Bernie’s Supply, it is owned and operated by Bernard Girard, grandson of the founder, and son of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Girard. The building has been leased to Gibson Discount Stores effective July 1.
50 Years Ago
May 31, 1973
One of the new horizontal braiders now arriving at the Electric Hose and Rubber Company in Alliance with two new members of the management team who recently arrived in Alliance from the Delaware plant. Henry Morgan, project supervisor with production control manager William Brown Jr. The new machine is in the newly completed addition that attaches to the north of the original building.
45 Years Ago
May 31, 1978
The new 4-H Building is being constructed at the Fairgrounds in Hemingford. B and C Steel of Scottsbluff had begun putting up the siding Friday. The Building will be used as an exhibit hall for all 4-H exhibits. A show area will be built in the open area just east of the building. A dedication of the building is being planned for July 9. Funding for it came from Ak-Sar-Ben, county taxes and donations. The 4-H Fund Raising Committee is still taking donations and anyone who donates $50 or more will have his name placed on a plaque which will be placed inside the building. The Agriculture Society has been in charge of this project.
40 Years Ago
May 31, 1983
More than 125 Box Butte County residents including supporters of a Mitchell home for exceptional children crowded into Sallows Conservatory to talk with Nebraska Governor Robert Kerrey during a town hall meeting Monday night.
35 Years Ago
May 31, 1988
The thunderstorm that rolled over Alliance about 8:30 p.m. Memorial Day, dropped a tornado on Tom Manion’s farm, about 19 miles north on Highway 385, at 9 p.m. When the storm hit, Tom and Madaline, his wife, were in the house. “The wind blew all day,” she said. “Then it started raining and hailing at 8:15 p.m. It was really quiet then there was a roar and a blast. It was about 9 when the tornadic wind started. It was black when I made my way to the basement.” Manion was standing at the kitchen window looking out and saw the 30-year-old elm tree in the yard bending almost to the ground. That’s when he headed for the basement. They were without electricity from 9:30 to midnight. He was certain it was a “twister” because they examined damage Tuesday morning, equipment was twisted, tangled and wrapped around other things. The tornado took out window panes on the barn said Manion, “but we can’t find any glass.” The Manions found tree branches driven into a grain drill which was driven into a fence post. A fuel tank had been blown off its stand and into a tree. The stand had been mangled and tangled with another piece of machinery. A corn bin top had been driven down inside of the bin. A pickup stock rack had been knocked off its stand. A feed wagon had been upset and lodged between two trees. They decided the tornado came from the south, passing north, just east of the house. “Had it been west 50 feet, our house would have been gone,” said Manion with a laugh.
30 Years Ago
May 31, 1993
Youths ages 5 to 16 are invited to test their fishing skills and win prizes at the Fishing Derby to be held Saturday, June 5, beginning at 8 a.m. at Laing Lake. The Optimist Club of Alliance is the sponsor for the derby. Youths should be accompanied by parents or guardians. Prizes include fishing gear and gift certificates. Every participant will receive a bag of gifts.
25 Years Ago
May 30, 1998
Preparations continued Friday afternoon at the swimming pool for today’s opening. Lifeguards Geoff Reno and Stacey Adam were working on the kiddie pool painting fun designs around the edge and vacuuming the debris from the pools bottom. The pool temperature should be close to 78 degrees when the gates are opened at 1 p.m. with the temperatures foretasted in the 80’s.
20 Years Ago
May 30, 2003
New Artist Radio presented Shane Keane, an Alliance country singer, with the Country Male Artist of the Year 2003 award at its annual award ceremony at the Jean J. Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City. He also was nominated for Song of the Year and Country Single of the Year, both for “Pearl McCoy.” which he performed.
15 Years Ago
May 31, 2008
The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center has been selected to host the Smithsonian Traveling exhibit “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” Director Becci Thomas said yesterday. The exhibit is scheduled to be in Alliance in March and April of 2009.
10 Years Ago
May 31, 2013
After 27 years with Alliance Public Schools, Alliance Middle School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Krestie Tolstedt is bidding farewell. In her time at APS, Tolstedt said she has enjoyed planning and coordinating of curriculum coming up with ideas and challenges and watching the students utilize programs to solve them, as well as creating an interest in students so they might pursue consumerism topic research in their own time. As for retirement, Tolstedt plans to spoil her grand kids, and take the time to travel and see the country.
5 Years Ago
May 30, 2018
Empty lots in the recent past now host buildings under construction on the west side of Alliance. The three-story Holiday Inn Express rose quickly with the design incorporating prefabricated components.